Connection between a side rail and a structural part of the front of a motor vehicle

• US 20040262953A1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Inventors: Cheron, Hugues, Andre, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/187.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/007 Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/084 Radiator supports

Abstract

A connection between a side rail and a structural part at the front of a motor vehicle, the structural part having a top edge situated in the vicinity of a zone of the bodywork that might receive an impact from the head or the hip of a pedestrian, wherein the connection comprises force-opposing means enabling the side rail to oppose the vertical forces to which the part is subjected, and wherein said means are collapsible.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A connection for use in a motor vehicle having bodywork adapted for receiving an impact, the motor vehicle includes a side rail and a structural part supporting the bodywork, the structural part comprises a top edge situated near a zone of the bodywork that might be impacted by a head or hip of a pedestrian, the connection comprises a collapsible force-opposing member that enables the side rail to oppose a vertical force.

13. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the motor vehicle includes a plurality of side rails, the force-opposing member comprises a finger mounted on each side rail, an actuator capable of moving the finger between an extended position in which the finger retains the structural part vertically, and a retracted position in which the structural part is released.

14. A connection according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is a motor.

15. A connection according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is connected to an impact sensor capable of identifying contact between the bodywork and a pedestrian.

16. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the force-opposing member comprises a fixed finger adapted to break above a predetermined vertical force threshold.

17. A connection according to claim 12, in which the force-opposing means comprise a fusible portion of the part.

18. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the force-opposing member comprises an insert embedded in the structural part and fixed to the side rail, the insert adapted to split the structural part when subjected to vertical force above a predetermined threshold.

19. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the structural part includes a hood lock, and the motor vehicle includes a sensor capable of releasing the hood lock when the bodywork impacts a pedestrian.

20. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the motor vehicle includes fender linings having a bottom, the structural part includes a plurality of ends, and the ends extend beneath the bottom of the fender linings and each end is secured to the fender linings by at least one fusible fastener.

21. A connection according to claim 20, wherein the fusible fastener comprises an insert selected from the group consisting of an overmolded insert or a crimped insert

22. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the structural part includes a cooling unit.

23. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a front face and the front face comprises the structural part.