Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02209~76 1997-07-03
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Front Guard
The present invention refers to a front guard for motor vehicles
according to the preamble of claim 1.
A known fact is that front guards for off-road vehicles serve as
a protection of the front portion of the motor vehicle against
branches, ledges and against various objects projecting into the
road during a cross-country drive of the motor vehicle.
During a particularly rough cross-country drive of the motor
vehicle, the front guards shall effectively protect the lamps in
the front portion and the radiator grille with the air intake
openings to the engine compartment. For this purpose, the front
guard is made of a rigid tubular frame which is attached to the
chassis of the motor vehicle.
The off-road vehicles with a front guard attached thereto are,
however, not only used for cross-country drives but also on
public roads. The risk of injury for persons, that are hit by
the off-road vehicle, in particular by its front guard, is,
however unequally higher than in motor passenger cars.
The object of the invention is to create a simply constructed
front guard for motor vehicles, which reduces the risk of injury
for persons hit by the car and still permits a universal
usability of the motor vehicle optimized by inset and attachment
equipment.
This object is achieved by the features cited in the
characterizing portion of claim 1.
According to the invention, the connection points of parts of
the front guard to one another and the connection points of the
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front guard with the chassis or parts of the front guard
themselves include elements that are designed to be absorbent
and pliable in case of forces prevailing at an impact of a
person. It is effectively achieved by the pliable elements that
the forces acting during a collision with the person are
absorbed, which reduces the extent of possible injuries to the
person.
Further developments of the invention are defined in the
subclaims.
The invention will be explained in detail by the aid of the
drawings.
Fig. lA shows a front guard according to the invention attached
to an off-road vehicle, with an integrated cover plate that is
folded down;
Fig. lB shows the front guard attached to the off-road vehicle
with an upfolded cover plate and an adapter device, which
thereby became freely accessible in a special fender, for
accessories in which inset equipment, such as a rope winch is
installed;
Fig. 2A is a front view of the front guard according to the
lnventlon;
Fig. 2B is a front view of the front guard according to the
invention with a cover plate attached thereto;
Fig. 3 is a view of a section extending along line A-A in Fig.
2A or 2B;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a central protector web of the
front guard according to the invention;
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Fig. 5 is a view of a section extending along line B-B in Fig.
4;
Fig. 6 is a view of a section extending along line C-C in Fig.
4;
Fig. 7 is a section of the front guard according to the
invention with a chassis attachment;
Fig. 8 is a partial section which shows a second embodiment of
the attachment of an upper protector web,
Fig. 9 is a partial section, which shows a third embodiment of
the attachment of the upper protector web, and
Fig. 10 is a top view onto a pivot support.
As can be seen from Fig. lA, lB, 7 and 10, a front guard
designated by 1 is attached to a motor vehicle 50.
The attachment of the front guard at the motor vehicle, van,
small van, passenger transport vehicle or motor passenger car,
preferably off-road vehicle 50 is designed in the embodiment
that is shown analogously to the attachment that is defined in
EP 0 156 201 Bl of the applicant and which comprises a pivot
support 23 and a locking element 9 for the attachment to the
chassis of the motor vehicle (see Fig. 7).
As can be taken from Fig. lA and lB, a cover plate 2 is
connected either to the motor vehicle itself via a rotary axle 3
(see Fig. 2A) or it is attached to the front guard (see Fig.
2B). The attachment of the rotary axle 3 at the front guard 1 is
preferably implemented by a support at a central protector web
6, which is not shown in the Figure. The cover plate 2 may be
pivoted about the rotary axle 3 from a downwardly folded
position (see Fig. lA) in which an adapter device 51 for
accessories is covered, to an upwardly folded position (see Fig.
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lB), in which the adapter device 51 is freely accessible. The
cover plate 2 is locked in its upwardly folded position as well
as in its downwardly folded position and on both sides carries a
license plate 52 with a license number. The adapter device 51
serves for coupling attachment devices, such as a snowplow, and
the interior of the adapter device serves for accommodating
inset devices, such as a rope winch. The adapter device 51
requires a special fender into which it is integrated, as well
as a respective recess within the front guard.
As can be seen in Fig. 2A and 2B, the front guard 1 consists of
two frame members 4, which are connected to one another via the
central protector web 6 and an upper protector web 7. A spoiler
protector web 5 and a lamp protector web 8 extend transversely
from the frame portions 4.
As will be described later on, the connection points of the
frame members 4 with the motor vehicle 50, the connection points
of the central protector web 6 and the upper protector web 7
with the frame members 4 and the connection points of the
spoiler protector web 5 and the lamp protector web 8 with the
frame members 4 are provided with absorbent and elastic
elements. Moreover, the central protector web 6, the spoiler
protector webs 5 and the lamp protector webs 8 are provided with
an elastic damping material (see Fig. 3, 4 and 6), was will also
be described later on.
To reduce the risk of injury for persons, the front and the
sides of the frame members 4 are coated with an elastic material
13 (e.g. with a soft touch material PUR-RIM soft). This material
acts pliably in case of an impact with a person, whereby an even
greater impact surface with a greater damping effect is
generated.
The frame members 4 that have a U-shaped profile, are connected
to one another in their upper portion by an upper protector web
7 and in the central portion by a central protector web 6. The
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upper protector web 7 extends upwardly and curved towards the
motor vehicle in accordance with the front contour of the motor
vehicle ~or reasons of m;n;m; zing the risk of injury to persons.
The protector web 6 is positioned between the frame members 4 in
a manner that a freely accessible space to the adapter device 5
is achieved in the fender below the protector web with an
appropriate adaptation to a special recess.
The upper protective web 7 has a bottom plate 35 at a connection
point 14a (Fig. 7J between the upper protector web and the
respective frame member 4, said bottom plate being embedded in a
inert-elastic damping material 1~. The inert-elastic damping
material 14 is accommodated by a container 36, which is suitably
connected, for example by welding or screwing with the
respective frame member 4. The damping material 14 is provided
in a manner that a movement of the upper protector web 7
relative to the respective frame member 4 and the back-movement
thereof after an impact is damped. The effects during an impact
with a person are reduced for the person by the damped motional
course caused by the damping material 14 as well as by a plastic
deformation of the container 36, by the bottom plate and by the
protective web 7 that is pushed out of the way. The deformed
container 36 thus acts opposite to a resiliency of the
protective web 7.
In a second embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 8, a connection
point 14b between the upper protective web 7 and the frame
members 4 has a hinge 25, the one half of which being fixedly
connected, preferably welded, to the bottom plate 35 of the
upper protective web 7. The other half of the hinge 25 is
connected to the frame member 4. The hinge 25 is held together
by means of a clip 24 that can be ben~ open, which is made of a
tough, plastically deformable material, wherein this arrangement
is also disposed within the container 36, which is filled with
the inert-elastic damping material 14. During an impact with a
person, the force is first of all overcome that is required for
bending open the clip 24, with a subsequent motional course of
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the upper protective web 7 by the inert-elastic damping material
14 and by the deformation o~ the container 26 also being caused.
The container 36 is, as in the first embodiment, connected to
the frame member 4. Different constructive solutions of the
hinge 25 are possible. The hinge axis can for example also be
arranged in the front and the bottom plate 35 can be connected
with the lower hinge half.
A third embodiment of the connection point 14c between the upper
protective web 7 and the frame members 4 is shown in Fig. 9. A
folded sheet 26 is connected to the bottom plate 35 of the upper
guard 7 and the frame member 4. According to a preferred
embodiment, the folded sheet 26 is welded to the bottom plate
35. In this embodiment, the required deformation work at the
folded sheet 26, which consists of a tough, plastically
deformable material, and the inert-elastic damping material 14,
as well as the absorbingly deforming container 36 cause the
effect reducing the force of an impact. The container 36 is, as
well as the two above-mentioned embodiments, connected to the
frame member 4 in a suitable manner, e.g. by welding. Different
constructive solutions of the folded sheet 26 are possible. The
bending point of the folded sheet 26 may ~or example also be
arranged in the front, and the bottom plate 35 may be connected
to the lower portion of the folded sheet 26.
As shown in Fig. 2A and 2B, the central protector web 6 connects
the frame members 4 in their central area with one another. A
preferred embodiment of the central protector web 6 can be seen
in Fig. 4 to 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the central protector web 6
has on its front side a profile ledge 11 made of a damping
material. The profile ledge 11 is preferably designed such that
it is fixed to the central protector web 6 in a fold 38 (see
Fig. 6) by insertion. Different profile forms as well as
different attachment methods, e.g. adhering, that are different
to the embodiment that is shown, are also possible. By the
elastic material and the shape of the profile ledge 11, the
CA 02209~76 1997-07-03
movement of a body impressed into the profile ledge is absorbed
by the constantly increasing deflector.
The attachment of the central protector web 6 at the frame
members 4 is carried out through the shock absorbers 12 (see
Fig. 4 and 5), the threaded portions 12a of which being guided
through bores in the frame members 4 and being fixed by means of
a nut 37 screwed onto the threaded portion 12a. The shock
absorber 12a is preferably provided in a manner that a movement
of the central protector web 6 is absorbed relative to the frame
members 4 during an impact and the movement is absorbed opposite
thereto. The use of shock absorbers 12 acting only in one
direction is, however, also possible.
As may clearly be seen from Fig. 4 and 5, the profile of the
central protective web 6 is provided such that during an impact
with a person a plastic deformation leads to deflector becoming
larger which reduces the impact even more.
Although it is not shown in detail, the upper protective web 7
may also be provided with a damping material in its front
portion.
As may clearly be seen from Fig. 3, the lamp protectors 8 and
the spoiler protectors 5 have front ledges 10 made of a damping
material on their front sides. The profile ledge 10 is
preferably designed such that is its fixed to the spoiler guard
5 or the lamp guard 8 in a fold 38 ( see Fig. 3) by insertion.
Regarding the shape and the properties, the profile ledge 10 is
shaped equally to the profile ledge 11. Modifications regarding
the shape and kind of attachment are, however, also possible.
As shown in Fig. 7, the support 29 is connected with the inner
side of the frame members 4, e.g. by welding. The support 29
carries a pipe clamp 16 which accommodates an annular inert-
elastic damping material 15, in which the respective end of the
respective lamp guard 8 is embedded. In the same manner, the
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spoiler guards 5 are guided through bores 20 into the inner, U-
shaped area of the frame members 4 and are there attached in the
same manner as the ends of the lamp guards.
The impact reduction is achieved by the lamp guard 8 and the
spoiler guard 5 in that the person that collides with the lamp
guards 8 or the spoiler guards 5 impresses the profile ledges 10
consisting of a damping material, and that in case of greater
forces, the inert-elastic damping material 15 and subsequently
the support 29 are plastically deformed. Since the movement of
the spoiler guard S and the lamp guard 8 is damped during an
impact and during the reverse movement thereof, the effects
during the collision are weakened for the persons. This effect
is additionally supported by the fact that the lamp guards 8 and
the spoiler guards 5 consist of a material with low resiliency,
and that the spoiler guards 5 as well as the lamp guards 8, as
far as this is possible at the side of the motor vehicle, are
elastically latched in clips at their outer ends (not shown),
which in turn are attached at a suitable location of the chassis
of the motor vehicle, e.g. at the fender, which has a low
resiliency after its deformation. Although in Fig. 3 the cross
section of the spoiler guard 5 or the cross section of the lamp
guard 8 are substantially circular, different suitable profile
shapes are also possible.
.
As shown in Fig. 7 and 10, the front guard 1 is connected via
the pivot support 23 and the locking element 9 with the motor
vehicle. A preferably bilaterally acting shock absorber 21,
which deforms in a manner that a rebound is reduced, having
inert-elastic properties is attached at the side of the motor
vehicle at a chassis element 22, said shock absorber pivotally
carrying a receptacle 28 via a bolt 30, so that the front guard
1 is pivotal around the bolt 30. The front guard 1 is preferably
connected to the motor vehicle via two pivot supports 23.
In case of an impact of a person in the knee area with the
fender of the motor vehicle, the person buckles, which causes
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vertically acting force components to act on the front guard 1.
As can be seen from Fig. 7, a force FR acts at an angle a to the
horizontal, wherein the angle a extends in a range of 0 to
approximately 45~. The force FR has a horizontal force component
Fl and a vertical force component F2. In order to take up the
vertical, in particular downwardiy acting force component F2,
the shock absorber 21 has an annular damping element 31 which on
its inner circumference has a sleeve 32 for guiding a shock
absorber piston 34. On its outer circumference the damping
element 31 is supported by a receptacle 32 connected to the
chassis element 22. Since the damping element acts in the radial
direction, vertical forces can also be taken up by the damping
element.
According to a preferred embodiment, two locking elements 9 are
provided, which can be locked by a locking means, which is not
shown, of the motor vehicle. The locking elements 9 are
connected to preferably bilaterally acting shock absorbers 17.
The shock absorbers 17 are provided with annular damping
elements 40, which comprise on their inner circumference sleeves
41 for guiding shock absorber pistons 43. At the outer
circumference the damping elements 40 are received by
receptacles 41, which are attached to an inner side of the frame
members 4. Thus, vertical force components are also taken up by
the shock absorbers 17.
The shock absorbers 17 have the above-mentioned inertia-elastic
properties, so that an impression of the front guard 1 towards
the motor vehicle 50 takes place in a damped manner without a
substantial rebound.
The use of shock absorbers 17 and 21 acting absorbent on one
side is, however, also possible. The locking element 9 has an
eye 39 that can be simply screwed off and is therefore
adjustable.
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Although it is not shown in detail in the drawing, the pivot
support can be provided with a damping means acting between the
bolt 30 and the receptacle.
In an embodiment that is not shown, the vertical force
components F2 can also be taken up by damping arrangements at the
bolt 30 or the locking elements 9 acting in the vertical
direction.
The design of the shock absorbers 12, 17 and 21 is substantially
similar to the rebound-free damping elements that are defined
closer in DE-GM 93 07 059.4 and EP 92 110 549Ø
The shock absorbers 12, 17 and 21 are, however not restricted to
the described embodiment. Rather, shock absorbers acting with a
liquid medium (oil) or a gaseous medium (air) may be used.
Furthermore, shock absorbers may be used that operate by means
of friction. A helical spring consisting of a plurality of
twisted wire strands can be used because of the inherent
friction and the motion behavior absorbed thereby.
The front guard may consist of metal, plastics or a metal-
plastics combination.
Although in a preferred embodiment the front guard is folded
off, the invention is not restricted thereto. Different,
generally known kinds of attachment between the front guard and
the motor vehicle are also possible. However, the advantage of
the embodiment that is described is that a quicker access may be
achieved for cleaning the front portion and in case of minor
repair work at the front portion.
Since the cover plate 2 is pivotal, the adapter device 51 for
accessories in the position according to Fig. lA can be
protected against soiling, damage or the like, and in the
position shown in Fig. lB, the adapter device can be made
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accessible for coupling accessories and to use the inset
apparatus installed in the adapter device.
The free space is created by the open design in the lower
central portion of the front guard 1 and in combination with a
bumper offering a passage in its central portion, said free
space ensuring access, application and use of the adapter device
51.
The front guard 1 according to the above described embodiment
meets with the demands of a conventional impact protection and
meets with the demands with regard to the reduction of
consequences of an impact for persons.
The front guard 1 combined with an appropriate recess in a
bumper or a similar component may, if adapted accordingly, also
be arranged and mounted according to the invention in the rear
portion of a van, small van, passenger transport vehicle or
passenger car, preferably an off-road vehicle.
