Frame Component for a Front End Module

Abstract

A frame component for a front end module of a vehicle is provided. The frame component has a blocking element mounted thereto which serves load transfer to a crossmember of the vehicle in the event of a crash.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A component for a front end module of a vehicle having a crossmember, comprising: a frame component; and a blocking element attached to the frame component for load transfer to the crossmember of the vehicle in an event of a crash.

10. The component according to claim 9, wherein the frame component and the blocking element are of one-piece design.

11. The component according to claim 10, wherein the frame component and the blocking element are embodied as an injection molding.

12. The component according to claim 9, wherein the blocking element is attached as a separate component to the frame component.

13. The component according to claim 12, wherein the attachment is at least one of: a welded joint, a clip joint, or an adhesive joint.

14. A front end module of a vehicle, comprising: a crossmember; and a frame component according to claim 9, wherein the blocking element attached to the frame component is designed to transfer a load to the crossmember in the event of a crash.

15. The front end module according to claim 14, further comprising: a shock absorber arranged on the crossmember, wherein the shock absorber is arranged between the crossmember and the blocking element in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

16. The front end module according to claim 15, further comprising: at least part of a driving assistance system arranged between the crossmember and the frame component for an air flap control system in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

17. The front end module according to claim 14, further comprising: at least part of a driving assistance system arranged between the crossmember and the frame component for an air flap control system in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

18. A vehicle comprising a front end module according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic sketch of a conventional frame component.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic sketch of a frame component according to the embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame component from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] A front end module 1 of a vehicle having a conventional frame component 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0036] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a Cartesian coordinate system, where X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle and Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0037] The front end module 1 has a crossmember 5. A blocking element 4 is attached or fastened to the crossmember 5 between the crossmember 5 and the frame component 2 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0038] A shock absorber 3 is attached or fastened to the blocking element 4 between the blocking element 4 and the frame component 2 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0039] In this case, the blocking element 4 is designed to limit intrusion, that is to say penetration of an impactor 6, illustrated here as a rigid obstacle 6, in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0040] However, as described at the outset, the disadvantage of this conventional structure is that the blocking element 4 is embodied as a separate component which must be installed, in particular at the factory, in an additional assembly step during the production of the vehicle.

[0041] In the present invention, therefore, the blocking element 4 is not fastened to the crossmember 5, as can be seen from FIG. 2.

[0042] A front end module 1.1 of a vehicle having a frame component 2.1 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0043] Furthermore, FIG. 2, like FIG. 1, shows a Cartesian coordinate system, where X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle and Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0044] The front end module 1.1 according to the invention has a crossmember 5.1. A shock absorber 3.1 is attached or fastened to the crossmember 5.1 between a blocking element 4.1 and the frame component 2.1 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0045] In contrast to the conventional construction, which has been described above with reference to FIG. 1, the blocking element 4.1 is attached to the frame component 2.1 or integrated therein.

[0046] In the front end module 1.1, at least part of a driving assistance system (not illustrated) is arranged between the crossmember 5.1 and the frame component 2.1 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0047] If, as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 2, the obstacle 6.1 now strikes the frame component 2.1 or if the vehicle drives against the obstacle 6.1, and its intrusion, i.e. its penetration depth in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, is not minimized, the driving assistance system is damaged.

[0048] The ability of the vehicle to compensate for such effects at low speeds is also tested as part of a homologation, for example as part of a test according to US Part 581, by means of a pendulum impact test in which an impactor acts on the front region of the vehicle, i.e. in this case the frame component 2.1.

[0049] In order to meet these requirements, the blocking element 4.1 is provided. In this case, the blocking element 4.1 is designed to limit the intrusion, that is to say the penetration of the obstacle 6.1 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0050] The blocking element 4.1 is therefore provided for load transfer to the crossmember 5.1 of the vehicle in the event of a crash.

[0051] By providing the blocking element 4.1 as an integral part of the frame component 2.1, however, the blocking element no longer has to be mounted on the crossmember 5.1 as a separate component during the production of the vehicle, in particular at the factory of the vehicle manufacturer, but can be delivered premounted on the frame component 2.1 and can be installed together with the frame component 2.1 in one assembly step.

[0052] In this case, the frame component 2.1 and the blocking element 4.1 can be made in one piece, in particular as a single injection molding, or the blocking element 4.1 can be attached as a separate component to the frame component 2.1, in particular by means of a welded joint, a clip joint and/or an adhesive joint.

[0053] As can be seen from FIG. 3, which shows a perspective view of the frame component 2.1 according to the invention from FIG. 2, the number of blocking elements 4.1 is not limited to one.

[0054] FIG. 3, like FIGS. 1 and 2, shows a Cartesian coordinate system, where X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle and Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0055] Rather, a plurality of blocking elements 4.1, in the present case two, can be arranged on the frame component 2.1 in a manner distributed over the transverse direction Y of the vehicle. It is also contemplated that additionally or alternatively a blocking element 4.1 is arranged in a central region of the frame component 2.1, i.e. in a region arranged centrally on the frame component 2.1 in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and/or the vertical direction Z of the vehicle.

[0056] As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the frame component 2.1 has two apertures or holes 7.1 in order in this way to accommodate one or more air flaps or a grille, depending on whether or not a flow of cooling air has to be directed into an engine compartment of the vehicle. This means that the frame component 2.1 can be installed independently of a type of drive of the vehicle, for example both on vehicles with an internal combustion engine and with an electric motor.

[0057] In the present case, the blocking elements 4.1 are each arranged below the apertures 7.1 in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0058] 1 front end module [0059] 2 frame component for the front end module [0060] 3 shock absorber [0061] 4 blocking element [0062] 5 crossmember [0063] 6 obstacle [0064] 1.1 front end module [0065] 2.1 frame component for the front end module [0066] 3.1 shock absorber [0067] 4.1 blocking element [0068] 5.1 crossmember [0069] 6.1 obstacle [0070] 7.1 aperture for air flaps or panel [0071] X longitudinal direction of the vehicle [0072] Y transverse direction of the vehicle [0073] Z vertical direction of the vehicle