FRONT-END STRUCTURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
First Claim
1. Forward structure of a motor vehicle comprising:
- a frame structure;
a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure;
a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam; and
first and second swing arms connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes, the four pivot axes being parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. Forward structure of a motor vehicle comprising:
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a frame structure; a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure; a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam; and first and second swing arms connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes, the four pivot axes being parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A front-end structure for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a left and a right deformation member mounted forward of a front frame structure; a bumper beam mounted to the deformation members and forward of the front frame structure; a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam; a left pair of swing arms disposed in an over-under arrangement relative to one another, each swing arm connected to the radiator frame at a forward pivot axis and connected to the frame structure at a rear pivot axis; and a right pair of swing arms disposed in an over-under arrangement relative to one another, each arm of the right pair connected to the radiator frame at a forward pivot axis and connected to the frame structure at a rear pivot axis, the four pivot axes being parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact deforming the deformation members and urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms.
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Specification