Vehicle front end structure

• US 20040041439A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Kafuku, Kazuaki, Okai, Harumi
• Granted Patent: US 6,869,131 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/193.09
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/084 Radiator supports

Abstract

A carrier (1) is secured to a vehicle front end portion via a bracket (4) secured to side members (2) and a bumper reinforcement (3). The connecting portions of the carrier (1) to the bracket (4) are deviated from the side members (2) when viewed from the front side of a vehicle. The bracket (4) is provided with a reinforcing member portion (4a) to connect the left and right side members (2). Accordingly, the action of a large impact force on the carrier (1) can be prevented because only a collision force from the bumper reinforcement (3) acts on the carrier (1) and no reaction force, from the side members, acts on the carrier, when a collision occurs. Therefore, the carrier (1) can be prevented from being broken when a light collision occurs because the attaching portions of the carrier (1) are seldom broken. The rigidity of a vehicle body can be increased by the reinforcing member portion (4a), and the necessary rigidity of the carrier (1) can be reduced. Thus, the weight of the carrier (1) can be reduced.

Claims

1. A front end structure of a vehicle, comprising

side members (2) that are positioned on lateral sides of the vehicle and extend in a forward-and-rearward direction of the vehicle;

a beam-like bumper reinforcement (3) that is positioned at a vehicle front end portion and extends in a width direction of the vehicle; and

a carrier (1) to which at least a radiator is attached, wherein

the carrier (1) is secured to the vehicle front end portion via a bracket (4) which is secured to at least one of the bumper reinforcement (3) and the side members (2); and

connecting portions of the carrier (1), to the bracket (4), are deviated from the side members (2), when viewed from the front side of the vehicle, and the bracket (4) is provided with a reinforcing member portion (4a) to connect the left and right side members (2).

2. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member portion (4a) is provided on a vehicle lower end side.

3. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bracket (4) is substantially in the shape of U, with an opening facing upward, when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

4. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the bracket (4) is held between the side members (2) and the bumper reinforcement (3) and is secured to the side members (2) and the bumper reinforcement (3).

5. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

a space (6), in which the carrier (1) can move, is provided at the rear of the connecting portions of the carrier (1) to the bracket (4).

6. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the carrier (1) is secured to the bracket (4) by detachable fastening means (1d, 8).

7. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein

the connection of the carrier (1) and the bracket (4) and the connection of the bumper reinforcement (3), the bracket (4) and the side member (2) are carried out by the fastening means from the vehicle front side.

8. A front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the carrier (1) comprises an upper beam portion (1e) and a lower beam portion (1c), that extend in the vehicle width direction, and a columnar portion (1f) connecting the upper beam portion (1e) and the lower beam portion (1c);

a groove (1g) is formed in the lower beam portion (1c); and

the reinforcing member portion (4a) is fitted in the groove (1g) of the lower beam portion (1c).