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

• US 7,097,236 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium (Burelle)
• Inventors: Andre, Gerald, Cheron, Hugues
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US10/772,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20040262953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.04, 296/187.04, 296/187.09, 296/187.08, 296/187.03, 296/35.1, 296/35, 296/132, 296/154, 296/155, 293/132, 293/154, 293/155
• US Class Current: 296/187.04
• 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. A connection for use in a motor vehicle having bodywork adapted for receiving an impact, the motor vehicle comprising a side rail, fender linings comprising a bottom, and a structural part supporting the bodywork and comprising a top edge and a plurality of ends, the top edge situated near a zone of the bodywork that might be impacted by a head or hip of a pedestrian, and the ends extending beneath the bottom of the fender linings, the connection comprising a collapsible force-opposing member that enables the side rail to oppose a vertical force;

and at least one fusible fastener securing each end of the structural part to the fender lining, and comprising an insert selected from the group consisting of an overmolded insert or a crimped insert.

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

and an actuator capable of moving the finger between an extended position in the which the finger retains the structural part vertically and a retracted position in which the structural part is released.

3. A connection according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is a motor.

4. A connection according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is connected to an impact sensor capable of identifying contact between the bodywork and a pedestrian.

5. A connection according to claim 2, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a front face and the front face comprises the structural part, and the structural part includes a cooling unit.

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

7. A connection according to claim 6, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a front face and the front face comprises the structural part, and the structural part includes a cooling unit.

8. A connection for use in a motor vehicle having bodywork adapted for receiving an impact, the connection comprising a side rail and a structural part supporting the bodywork, the structural part comprising a hood lock and a top edge situated near a zone of the bodywork that might be impacted by a head or hip of a pedestrian, the connection comprising a collapsible force-opposing member that enables the side rail to oppose a vertical force, and a sensor capable of releasing the hood lock when the bodywork impacts a pedestrian.

9. A connection according to claim 8, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a front face and the front face comprises the structural part, and the structural part includes a cooling unit.