Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Front End Structure of A Vehicle

    Uploaded by

    iriahuz85
    6 views12 pages

    Original Title

    Front_end_structure_of_a_vehicle

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    6 views12 pages

    Front End Structure of A Vehicle

    Uploaded by

    iriahuz85

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 12
    «2) United States Patent Ozawa et al. US006708790B2 US 6,708,790 B2 Mar. 23, 2004 (10) Patent No (as) Date of Patent: (4) FRONT-END TRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE (75) Inventors: Tkuo Ozawa, Toyoake (IP); Toshiki s Kariya (IP); Norihisa Sasano, Aichi-pref. (IP); Noriaki laeda, Kariya (JP); Kazuaki Kafuku, Chiryu GP); Harumi Oka, Kasiya (IP); Yasuhiko Hou, Toyota (IP); Tomoyuki Hatano, Nagoya (IP), Hiromi Takagi, Nagoya (IP); Takeshi Nagasstka, Kariya (JP); Yasushi Hi, Kariya (JP) @) o Assignee: Denso Corporation, Kariya (JP) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 35, US.C. 15446) by 0 days. en (2 Appl. Nos 10/132,498 ‘Apr: 25, 2002 Prior Publication Data Filed: (6s) Us 20020162895 AL Now. 7, 2002 ) Ape ‘un Foreign Application Priority Data a a) 26, 2001 11, 2001 Int. C1? US. Cl. Field of Search 180)68.4, 08.6, 180/291, 292, 299, 68.5, 280/781, 785; 206/194, 203.02, 37.1, 30; 165/42, 43, “4 ca) G2) 6s) BOOK 11/04 180/68.4; 180.291; 180/299 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2IOLITL A * 1/1938 Saunders 2uONT72 A * 1/1938 Saunders 3199578 A * R/I965 Rogers 80.685 ss 165/44 3.352353 A * 1/1967 Stevens ta 15/41 4763723 A * 8/1988 Granctzke 165167 S081, 712 A * 7991 Karolek eta. 8068.2 S.065814 A * 11/1991 Locher et. 1651 SIOS2075 A * 1/199 Kaolek eta. 180682 40.288 A+ 411995 Masuda 206/194 5522887 A * 6/199 Lene 1os/121 5573299 A * 11/1996 Masuda 2owito4 USS_335 A * 122000 Acre eta 165/41 (64196624 BL * 32001 Bex ctl 2o«:203.02 6.216810 BL * 42001. Nakai eta a0} 6.237990 BL * 52001 ‘Barber et a 296/187 450.2% BL * 92002 Late 180684, 6.502653 BL * 12008 Balzer ea sas 651746 BL * 22003 Cheron et 206/194 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS ” 358047624 A * 3/1983 0.68.4 » ATSMS3 4/1995 2 A928S 1997 * cited by examiner Primary Exaniner—Brian L. Johnson Assistant Examiner—Beidget Avery (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Hamness, Dickey & Pierce, PLC on ABSTRACT A frontend structure comprising 4 panel body (400) to Which a center member ($00), being fixed to a body of a vehicle a frontend of the vehicle and supporting, ai least, a driving engine (E/G), is joined, wherein the pane! body (400) is molded out of aluminum by die-casting and a joining section (421) of the panel boxy (400) to which the center member (S00) is joined fas a mechanical strength higher than that of say other sections ofthe panel body (400) near the joining section (421) except the joining section an), 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets U.S. Patent Mar. 23,2004 Sheet 1 of 7 US 6,708,790 B2 Fig.1 200 300 421 U.S. Patent Mar. 23,2004 Sheet 2 of 7 US 6,708,790 B2 Fig.2 up 400 FRONT REAR | DOWN 450 200 100 AIR —> US 6,708,790 B2 Sheet 3 of 7 », 2004 US. Patent 027 L297 ! 227 207 CG q D —=y pk (NOLLHOd YaNNIHL) NOTLYOd SSINMOIHL “IVWYON NOTLYOd (SSHuLS_HOIH) NOTLYOd ONTONGaY NOTLHOd ONTONGAY SSANMOTHL YaMOTHL SSANMOTHL € 614 (NOTLYOd YANNTHL) NOTLNOd SSANHOTHL TWHYON U.S. Patent Mar. 23,2004 Sheet 4 of 7 US 6,708,790 B2 Fig.4A E/G MOUNT 600 500 E/G MOUNT \ ) 610 400 E/G MOUNT Fig.4B | | E/G MOUNT ) S US. Patent Fig.5 400 480 Mar. 23, 2004 Sheet 5 of 7 ag [PPL | a hee SEN Aah [AH i PRS CN US 6,708,790 B2 ¢ a U.S. Patent Mar. 23,2004 Sheet 6 of 7 US 6,708,790 B2 Fig.6 uP FRONT REAR 300 DOWN 100 = 200 AIR —> — : U.S. Patent Mar. 23,2004 Sheet 7 of 7 US 6,708,790 B2 Fig.7 UP FRONT REAR 410(400) DOWN 417 ia) e = = tame 451-4 uni 200 US 6,708,790 B2 1 FRONT-END STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 4, Field of the fnvention ‘The present invention relates to a front-end structure to Which a center member, which is xed to the body of @ Vehicle a the froat end of the vehicle and supports a driving ‘engine, is joined 2. Description of the Related Art In a typical (medium-size class) FF ({eoat end engine, front-wheel deive) type vehicle, an engine is supported, a6 ‘shown in FIGS, 4 and B, by a center member $00, brid « pane! body 400 and a body (dash pane!) 600 ofa vehicle, and a boxy (ender panel, side member) 610, For this reason, ‘on 4 joining section ofthe panel body to which the center member is joined, a relatively large stress is produced by the Weight of the engine. In FIG. 4A, shrouds are omitted for ‘easy understanding. (a the contrary, the invention described in the specifica- tion of Japanese Patent No.2931605 achieves a weight reduction and productivity improvement of the panel body by forming it With resin and embedding reinforcing mem- bers formed by stamping steel into sections of the pane] body, such a the joining section, to which a large load is applied, while keeping the nocessary mechanical suength of| the panel body. Howover, as the sbove invention requires mold for forming the panel body out of resin and a mold for forming the einforcing members by stamping ste] and also requires a mold adjuster for placing the einforcing members in the ‘eavity of the mold for forming the panel body out of resin, the capital investment inereases and it is dillcul to decrease the number of man-hours (manufacturing time) needed 10 manufacture the panel bod, ‘As shown in FIG, 2, a radiator 100 and fans 200 for supplying cooling air othe radiator 100 are usually attached to the panel body fixed to a body of a vehicle a a front end ‘ofthe vehicle. However, asthe fans 200 are attached directly to the shalisof the eleettic motors 300, and the fans 200 and the electric motors 300 are disposed in series inthe cooling air Mow, it is dificult to reduce the dimension A. (this ‘dimension A is called fan-shaft dimension A heteinafer), between the radiator and the electric motors, measured along the cooling aie flaw, ‘mounting the electric motors 300, an engine E.G, auxiliaries in an engine compartment so that the electric ‘motors 300 do not interfere with the engine E/G and olber suxiliaries disposed in a downstream part of a cooling flow. In addition, since itis not possible to avoid disposing the ‘electric motors 300 near heat producing elements such as the ‘engine E/G, the amount of heat given tothe electric motors 300 by the engine E/G increases, and thereby heat damage to the electric motors 300 may occur. In order to solve such problem, solutions such that the ‘electric motors themselves are downsized to reduce the fan-shaft dimension A, or heat insulating materials are disposed between the eleczic motors 300) and the engine E/G may be proposed. However, when the electric motors themselves are downsized, the capacities of the electric motors 300 decrease, and thereby the durability of the electric motors 300 decreases. and, wheo heat insulating materials are disposed between the electric motors 300 and m 3s 2 the engine E/G, the numbers of pars and manufacturing man-hours increase ‘SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION is therefor an object ofthe present invention to reduce the weight and the manufacturing cont of the panel body while Keeping the necessary mechanical stength of the Panel bod Its anosher abject of the present invention to reduce the fanshalt dimension A. Tn onder to achieve the above objects, the preseat invention, ina fist aspect, provides a front-end structure ‘comprising & panel body (400) to which a center member (600, being tked toa body ofa vehicle a frontend of he ‘Vehicle and supporting, atleast, driving engine (EIG), i joined, wherein the panel body (400) is molded out of aluminum by die-casting and a joining section (421) ofthe panel body (40) to wich te center member (50) i joined has @ mechanical stength higher than that of any other section ofthe panel Foxy 400) nea th joining section (421) xcept the joining section (421, Tn a second aspect, the present invention provides fiont-end suture comprising a panel body (400) wo which Scott ne (60 beige ay of ee a 2 oat end ofthe vehicle and supporting at leas, dei ngine (L1G), is joined, wherein the, panel body (400) comprises an upper beam (410) which is disposed at the top. ‘ofthe panel body (400) and extends ina horizontal dreation, ‘Tower beam (420) which is disposed athe bottom ofthe panel body (400), extends in a horizontal direction, ad is provided witha joining secon (421) to which the center tember (500) is joined, and pillars (430) which extend Upward and dowaward 10 join the upper and lowee beams (G10, 420); winerein the upper and lower beams (410, 20) and the pillars (430) are integrally molded out of alumioum by die-casting: and wherein the joining section (421) has 4 mechanical strength higher thn that of anyother section of the lower beam (420) except the joining section (421). Tia third aspect, the present invention proves a fronl- end sruture wherein the mechanical strength of tbe joining. Section 421) may be enhanced by increasing the thickness ofthe joining setion (421). In a Tourth aspect, the present invention provides. front-end siuctre wherein the mechanical strength ofthe joining section 421) may be enbaneed by providing rein- forcing ribs (423). Ta fh aspect, the preseot invention provides ron-end structure wherein the panel body (400) has integrally- molded shrouds (450) for preventing, by covering the clear- ance between a radiator (100) of the vehicle and a fan (200) for supplying cooling ae to the raditor (100), that the ae fle ince by the fa (200) detours around the raaor 100) In a sixth aspect, the presen invention provides eont- cen siructute of vehicle whichis fixed 1 the body of the ‘hice atthe frontend of the vehicle and has a panel body (400) to which at least a radiator (100) is attached; wherein the frontend sinucure comprises a fan (200), which is attached tothe front-end panel (400) and supplies cooling st to the radiator (100), and diving means (300) wich is Aisposed in position, in the panel body (400), deviated from te rotation center ofthe fan (200) and rotates the Fan (200) via a belt (310); and wherein the panel body (400) is. tnade of metal In 2 seventh aspect the present invention provides & fiontend stuctueofa vehicle wherein the pane ody (400) US 6,708,790 B2 3 may have integrally-molded shrouds (480) for preventing, by covering the clearance between the fan (200) and the radiator (100), that the air flow induced by the fan (200) detours around the radiator (100), In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a frontend structure of a vehicle wherein the panel body (400) may have integrally-molded belt covers (460) for covering the belt (310), na ninth aspect, the present invention provides a fromt- ‘end steucture of a vehicle, wherein a plurality of the fans (200) may be attached tothe panel body (400) and may be rotated by the driving means (300) via the belt (310) In a tenth aspect, the present iaveation provides a fromt- ‘end structure ofa vehicle wherein the panel body (400) may be provided witha cooling ar inlet (411) for conducting the ‘cooling air to the driving means (300). In an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides a frontend sicucture of a vehicle wherein the fan (200) is disposed at a more downstream side ofthe cooling ai flow than the radiator (100), In a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides: frontend structure of a vehicle wherein the panel body (400) is prelerably molded out of aluminum by die-casting. In the above aspects, characters or numerals in parentbe= ses are used to show an example of embodiments of the present invention andl correspond! to the specific components in the embodiments discussed later. “The present invention may be more fully understood from the description of the preferred embodiments of the inven- tion set forth below, together with the accompanying draw- ings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 i8 a perspective view of a frontend structure scconting to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 aside view of a front-end structure according 10 the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is front view (viewed from an engine side) of « lower beam of a front-end structure according to an embodl- ment of the preseat invention, FIG. 4A isan exemplary plan view showing the mounting state of an engine, FIG, 48 is a side view of FIG. 4A, FIG. § is a perspective view of a frontend structure scconding to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6s aside view of front-end siruture according 10 nother embodiment of the present invention FIG, Tis an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cooling ait inlet of 3 frontend panel according to another embodiment ‘of the present invention, DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of « panel body (called “panel” in short, hereinafter) 400 according to an embodi- iment ofthe present invention. As shown ia FIG. 2, a radiator 100 for cooling the cooling Water for a vehicle driving ‘engioe (internal combustion engine) E/G, fans 200 for supplying cooling air to the radiator 100, electric motors (@riving means) 300 for driving the fans 200, a center member $00 (sce FIG. 4 for supporting the engine B/G, ete. are attached fo the panel (panel body) 400, FIG. Lisa perspective back (engine B/G side) view ofthe panel $00. The radiator 100, the fans 200, the electric motors in 0 3s 4 +300, and the engine E/G are arranged in this order, as shown in FIG, 2, in series along the cooling air ow from a front side of a vehicle. ‘The pane! 400 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, an upper bbeam 410 whieh is clisposed at the top of the panel 400 aod ‘extends ina horizontal direction, a ower beam 420 which is dlsposed atthe bottom of the panel 400 and extends in horizontal direction, pillars 430 which extend upward aod

    You might also like