Front-end structure of a motor vehicle

• US 8,251,438 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Linden, Bernd, Niessen, Bert, Hilmann, Joergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Morrow, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US13/350,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20120181818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 228 Days
• Field of Search: 296/187.04, 296/187.09, 296/193.1, 296/203.02, 180/68.4, 180/68.6, 293/115
• US Class Current: 296/187.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/34 destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/084 Radiator supports

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.

Claims

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a forward portion of the frame structure adjacent to the bumper beam comprises a deformation element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retaining element mounted to the frame structure and having pivot points supporting the rear pivot axis of each swing arm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward pivot axis of each swing arm is disposed higher than its respective rear pivot axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear pivot axes of the first and second swing arms are disposed one above the other in a substantially vertical plane.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second swing arms are of equal length.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the swing arms are parallel to one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first spacing between the rear pivot axes is not equal to a second spacing between the forward pivot axes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one pivot axis comprises a plastically deformable joint.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a contact block disposed on at least one of the bumper beam and the radiator frame at a location to be sandwiched between the radiator frame and the bumper beam after deformation of the deformation element.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the contact block is formed at least partially of a resilient material.

12. A front-end structure for a motor vehicle comprising:

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 front 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 front 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 front 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.