BUMPER CROSS MEMBER SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, MODULAR SYSTEM, AND MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A BUMPER CROSS MEMBER SYSTEM

Abstract

A bumper cross member system for a motor vehicle having a base structure including a bumper cross member that, in the post-assembly position, extends transversely relative to the vehicle, and two crash boxes that, in the post-assembly position, extend from the bumper cross member longitudinally relative to the vehicle, at least one of the following add-on elements being configured on the base structure: a cross member expansion element, which, starting from an outer side of the bumper cross member, extends transversely relative to the vehicle outwardly in such a way that an extended base structure having an enlarged width is obtained, and/or a crash box extender element that extends from the bumper cross member in the post-assembly position forwardly longitudinally relative to the vehicle in such a way that an extended base structure having an elongated crash box is obtained. Also, a modular system and a motor vehicle having a bumper cross member system.

Claims

1. A bumper cross member system for a motor vehicle (10) having a base structure (18) that includes a bumper cross member (20) that extends in the post-assembly position transversely relative to the vehicle, and two crash boxes (22) that, in the post-assembly position, extend rearwardly from the bumper cross member (20) longitudinally relative to the vehicle, at least one of the following add-on elements (26) being configured on the base structure (18): a) a cross member expansion element (34), which, starting from an outer side of the bumper cross member (20), extends transversely relative to the vehicle outwardly in such a way that an extended base structure (18) having an enlarged width is obtained, and/or b) a crash box extender element (28), which extends from the bumper cross member (20) in the post-assembly position forwardly longitudinally relative to the vehicle in such a way that an extended base structure (18) having an elongated crash box (22) is obtained.

2. The bumper cross member system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bumper cross member (20) is formed of a profile (36) that is open in cross section, and the cross member expansion element (34) is partially adapted to this profile (36) at least in a region directly adjoining the bumper cross member (20).

3. The bumper cross member system as recited in claim 1, wherein the crash box (22) and the crash box extender element (28) are each formed by a profile that is closed in cross section.

4. The bumper cross member system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bumper cross member (20) is formed of a profile (36) that is open in cross section and includes at least two sides, and of a reinforcing structure (42), which stabilizes two sides (44, 46) of the profile (36) relative to one another, extends between the two sides (44, 46) thereof.

5. The bumper cross member system according to claim 4, wherein a bore (48) that extends longitudinally relative to the vehicle in the post-assembly state is formed in the reinforcing structure (42) and/or in an add-on element (26); the reinforcing structure (42) is disposed in a recess (40) formed in the profile of the bumper cross member (20); and/or the reinforcing structure (42) is disposed to grip around the bumper cross member (20).

6. The bumper cross member system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one add-on element (26) is permanently connected to the reinforcing structure (42) and/or to the base structure (18).

7. The bumper cross member system as recited in claim 1, wherein the add-on element (26) has at least one joint face (50) that is urged into contact with the base structure (18) and/or with a reinforcing structure (42); and/or the crash box extender element (28) has at least one crease (30).

8. The bumper cross member system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one tab of material (52, 54, 56, 58), serving as a joint face (50) on the at least one add-on element (26), is configured for connection to the bumper cross member (20), to a reinforcing structure (42), and/or to a crash box (22).

9. A modular system having a bumper cross member system (16) according to claim 1, wherein a base structure (18) is combined with various add-on elements (26) to provide motor vehicles (10) with a bumper cross member (20) that differs in width and/or with a crash box (22) that differs in effective length.

10. A motor vehicle having a bumper cross member system (16) according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Other practical specific embodiments of the present invention are described in the following in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a motor vehicle in a front view;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a part of a base structure of a bumper cross member system according to the present invention in a perspective, oblique front view;

[0043] FIG. 3 is the base structure from FIG. 2 including a first add-on element in the form of a crash box extender element in a perspective, oblique front view;

[0044] FIG. 4 is the base structure from FIG. 2 including a first add-on element in the form of a cross member expansion element in a perspective, oblique front view; and

[0045] FIG. 5 is the base structure from FIG. 2 including the crash box extender element from FIG. 3 and the cross member expansion element from FIG. 4 in an exploded view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a combustion engine 10 in a front view. A bumper cross member system 16 (not shown in FIG. 1) is mounted directly behind a bumper trim 14 in an area of a front end denoted by 12viewed in the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the vehicle. Bumper trim 14 is part of the outer skin panel of the motor vehicle.

[0047] A bumper cross member system 16 is shown in FIG. 2 through 5 in various configurations. Only the left half of bumper cross member system 16 (viewed in the direction of travel) is shown in each case. The right half (not shown) is preferably configured to be mirror-symmetric. The directions indicated in FIG. 2 through 5 relate to the post-assembly position of bumper cross member system 16 in a motor vehicle as shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a base structure 18 as part of a bumper cross member system 16. Base structure 18 encompasses a bumper cross member 20 that, in the post-assembly position, extends in the transverse direction (y direction) of the vehicle. Extending rearwardly from bumper cross member 20 longitudinally relative to the (x direction) of the vehicle in the post-assembly position is a crash box 22. A separation plate 24 is attached to or formed on crash box 22. In the assembled state, a longitudinal member (i.e., a right longitudinal member and a left longitudinal member (not shown)) extends in each case longitudinally relative to (in the x direction) of the vehicle behind crash box 22 and separation plate 24.

[0049] Thus, base structure 18 already forms a complete crash structure, that may be used as a crash structure in motor vehicles 10 without further add-on elements and that satisfies minimum legal requirements provided in at least one country or region.

[0050] Bumper cross member 20 is formed by a profile 36 that is open on one side and has a hat-shaped profile cross section featuring a recess 40 that extends over the entire width. Longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle, the opening of recess 40 is oriented toward the front of the vehicle.

[0051] A reinforcing structure 42 is configured in recess 40 of profile 36 of bumper cross member 20 in the area directly in front of crash box 22. This reinforcing structure 42 extends vertically relative to (in the z direction of) the vehicle between an upper side 44 and a lower side 46 of profile 36 of bumper cross member 20 and is permanently connected to upper side 44 and lower side 46 of profile 36. Transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle, reinforcing structure 42 extends in the area of crash box 22 and over the entire width thereof. The effect of reinforcing structure 42 is thereby that the relative position of sides 44, 46 of profile 36 do not change in response to a crash, so that profile 36 does not mushroom. In the present case, reinforcing structure 42 has a bore 48 that extends longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle and, in addition, has a screw thread (not shown). Thus, reinforcing structure 42 may be used for screwing in a towing lug or tow bar.

[0052] In FIG. 3, bumper cross member system 16 including base structure 18 is shown in a first enhanced embodiment. In this embodiment, a first add-on element 26 in the form of a crash box extender element 28 is mounted on base structure 18. In the post-assembly position, crash box extender element 28 extends forwardly from bumper cross member 20 longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle; in the illustrated exemplary embodiment by approximately 70 mm. In this example, crash box extender element 28 is manufactured as a formed part from a steel material. It may also be manufactured from other materials and using other methods, and also have a multipiece design.

[0053] Overall, therefore, an extended base structure 18 having an elongated crash box 22 is formed. Both crash box 22, as well as crash box extender element 28 have a profile that is closed, viewed in cross section, and approximately rectangular in cross section, that is formed here to be constant over the length. Crash box 22 and crash box extender element 28 are each designed as folding structures, which, in response to a frontal impact acting at least partially in the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the vehicle, unfold in an accordion-like manner in order to convert as much kinetic energy as possible into deformation energy. As is discernible in FIG. 3, to facilitate a folding, crash box 22 has a crease 30 that extends transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. For the sake of completeness, it should be appreciated that crash box extender element 28 may also have one or a plurality of creases 30.

[0054] The profile cross section of crash box extender element 28 and the profile cross section of crash box 22 are serially and sequentially disposed here longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle in a way that allows the effective areas to completely overlap in so far as the profile cross sections are identical in design and directly serially disposed longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle. Thus, for crash box extender element 28 and crash box 22, a common effective path is obtained that extends longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle.

[0055] As is readily discernible in conjunction with FIG. 5 and also explained in detail further below, crash box extender element 28 is permanently connected to bumper cross member 20 and reinforcing structure 42.

[0056] As indicated by dashed line bore 32 in FIG. 3, in addition to or instead of reinforcing structure 42, crash box extender element 28 may have a bore 32 that may be utilized for connecting a towing lug or tow bar.

[0057] Another specific embodiment of a bumper cross member system 16 having a second add-on element 26 in the form of a cross member expansion element 34 is shown in FIG. 4. Cross member expansion element 34 extends in the present case starting from the right outer side of bumper cross member 20 transversely (in the y direction) outwardly in a way that allows an extended base structure 18 having an enlarged width to be obtained.

[0058] As is bumper cross member 20, cross member expansion element 34 is formed from a hat-shaped profile 38 that, in the region adjoining bumper cross member 20 (and here over the entire width thereof extending transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle, has a profile 38 that is adapted to profile 36 of bumper cross member 20. In the present case, the profile is identical in the adjoining region, so that the same geometry results as in the case of a bumper cross member 20 that is fabricated in one piece and that has the same width as extended base structure 18 shown in FIG. 4 having cross member expansion element 34. In the post-assembly position, cross member expansion element 34 essentially extends outwardly transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle and is additionally disposed here to also extend rearwardly in the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the vehicle.

[0059] Readily discernible in FIG. 5 is the design of add-on elements 26 for the attachment thereof to base structure 18. In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, add-on elements 26 are each connected to base structure 18 via overlapping joint faces 50.

[0060] On the right side thereof and on the left side thereof, crash box extender element 28 features a joint face 50 in the form of a tab 52 of material; only outer tab 52 of material being discernible in FIGS. 3 and 5. In the present case, tabs 52 of material are formed to project relative to crash box extender element 28 transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. Crash box extender element 28 is connected both to bumper cross member 20, as well as to reinforcing structure 42. Crash box extender element 28 is riveted to bumper cross member 20 in the area of recess 40 via tabs 52 of material that project transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. Here, the connection direction is longitudinal relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle. Moreover, crash box extender element 28 is riveted to reinforcing structure 42. The connection direction of the riveting extends here transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. Thus, relative to base structure 18, crash box extender element 28 is fabricated to be especially flexurally stiff, both longitudinally relative to (in the x direction) of the vehicle, as well as transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle.

[0061] Likewise configured on cross member expansion element 34 are joint faces 50 in the form of tabs 54, 56, 58 of material. In the present case, three inwardly extending tabs 54, 56, 58 of material are formed on cross member expansion element 34 transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. As an elongation of a recess 60 of profile 38 of cross member expansion element 34, a first tab 54 of material is provided as a joint face to recess 40 in bumper cross member 20 of base structure 18. Overlapping joint faces 50 on bumper cross member 20 and on cross member expansion element 34 are connected by riveting longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle. To enhance the flexural stiffness longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle, a second and third tab 56, 58 are also provided that mainly extend longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) and transversely relative to (in the y direction of) the vehicle. In the present case, second and third tab 56, 58 of material are permanently connected by riveting to the upper side and lower side of crash box 22. In this respect, the riveting takes place vertically relative to (in the z direction of) the vehicle. In the illustrated specific embodiment, the joint faces of individual tabs 54, 56, 58 of material are smaller in size than 10 percent of the total surface area of cross member expansion element 34. The greater part of the surface area of cross member expansion element 34 that faces forwardly longitudinally relative to (in the x direction of) the vehicle is laterally offset from base structure 18 and thus contributes to enlargement of base structure 18.

[0062] The features of the present invention discussed in the above specification, drawing, and claims may be essential to the implementation of the present invention in the various embodiments thereof, individually and in any combinations. The present invention may be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0063] 10 motor vehicle [0064] 12 region [0065] 14 outer skin [0066] 16 bumper cross member system [0067] 18 base structure [0068] 20 bumper cross member [0069] 22 crash box [0070] 24 separation plate [0071] 26 add-on element [0072] 28 crash box extender element [0073] 30 crease [0074] 32 bore [0075] 34 cross member expansion element [0076] 36 profile [0077] 38 profile [0078] 40 recess [0079] 42 reinforcing structure [0080] 44 upper side [0081] 46 lower side [0082] 48 bore [0083] 50 joint face [0084] 52 tab of material [0085] 54 tab of material [0086] 56 tab of material [0087] 58 tab of material [0088] 60 recess