WO2006058865A1 - Carrier for the front unit of a motor vehicle and method for the mounting thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier for the front unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a middle part (102) and a left and right framing part (104, 106), wherein the framing parts are respectively embodied in order to enable a headlight unit (132) to be mounted.

Description

 Carrier for the front unit of a motor vehicle and assembly method

Description

The invention relates to a support for the front unit of a motor vehicle and a method for mounting such a support.

From the prior art, various front units and mounting methods for front units are known.

DE 19946 995 A1 shows a front-end unit of a motor vehicle which carries two optical units, the optical units being positioned by means of complementary positioning devices, the positioning devices comprising complementary abutment surfaces supported by the optical unit and the side fender. After the front side has been pressed against the chassis, the front side is fastened to two longitudinal members of the chassis by means of lateral claws, After the front has been correctly positioned on the chassis, the optical unit becomes substantially parallel to the chassis X-axis is drawn to the rear of the vehicle Finally, the optical unit is finally attached to the front.

From the documents FR 2 809 061, EP 1 232 932 A1, DE 196 47 928 A1 and EP 0945 330 A2 further front units for a motor vehicle are known. The invention is based on the object to provide an improved support for the front unit of a motor vehicle, a front unit and an improved assembly method for the front unit of a motor vehicle.

The objects underlying the invention are each achieved with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a support for the front unit of a motor vehicle with a central part and a left and right socket part, wherein the socket parts are formed to completely surround a headlamp unit.

The formation of the socket parts for complete enclosure of the relevant headlight units makes it possible to attach during fitting first the socket parts with the headlight units on the fender benches of the motor vehicle. Thereafter, the attachment of the carrier takes place on the longitudinal members of the motor vehicle. As a result, the assembly of the headlight units is simplified and it can achieve an improved joint pattern.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the headlamp unit consists of a headlamp lens, e.g. made of silicate glass or polycarbonate. The illuminants in the headlamp unit are in the z-direction, i. in the vertical direction, adjustable, z. B. by pressing a corresponding Verstellrades on the instrument panel of the vehicle. Between the headlight glass and the visible from the outside of the car body is produced by the assembly according to the invention a high-quality joint image, at the same time there is an adjustment option in the z-direction.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the middle part of the socket parts is removable. This allows disassembly of the engine of the motor vehicle go up without building up the complete front unit. To disassemble the engine, it is only necessary to disassemble the middle part; the socket parts with the headlight units, however, must not be dismantled.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the socket parts are connected to the middle part via fastening means which allow a tolerance compensation. In particular, the fastening means for pre-positioning the socket parts are formed on the central part. Preferably, the fastening means have at least one slot formed in the middle part and / or at least one of the socket parts. During assembly, for example, the procedure is such that the socket parts are pre-positioned by means of the fastening means on the central part, wherein still a shift of the socket parts and the middle part relative to each other is possible. For example, this is done by screw, the screws for pre-positioning are not tightened yet. After fastening the mountings to the mudguard benches and the side rails, the screws are tightened. Due to the displaceability of the socket parts relative to the central part of the construction of stresses in the middle part is avoided.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the fitting parts have fastening means for attachment to the longitudinal members of the motor vehicle. Preferably, these fastening means are formed to a tolerance compensation. For this purpose, the fastening means, for example, a winkelför- miges or a tab-shaped element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the socket parts fastening means for attachment to the fender benches of the motor vehicle. To align the headlamp units relative to the socket parts and the fender benches, the socket parts preferably each have at least one positioning pin. For example, a positioning pin is formed at its one end for locking in a headlight frame of the headlamp unit; at its other end, the positioning pin is tapered, so that it can be inserted into a mounting hole in the respective fender bench.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for mounting a carrier for the front unit of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a central part and left and right socket parts for the headlamp units of the motor vehicle. During assembly, the procedure is such that first the mounting parts are attached to the fender benches of the motor vehicle. Thereafter, the fitting parts are fastened to the longitudinal members of the motor vehicle. Finally, the middle part is attached to the left and right fitting parts.

Preferably, the procedure is such that first the carrier with the middle part and the left and right mounting parts are pre-assembled. In this case, the left and right socket parts are pre-positioned at the middle part, wherein the left and right socket parts are displaceable relative to the middle part for a later tolerance compensation. For example, the left and right socket parts are loosely pre-bolted to the middle part. After the mounting of the socket parts on the fender benches and on the longitudinal members, the final screwing then takes place in the then resulting position of the socket parts relative to the middle part.

However, it is also possible that initially only the socket parts are mounted and then the middle part is installed between the already permanently mounted socket parts in the motor vehicle.

To facilitate tolerance compensation and to provide a high quality joint pattern, the socket parts are preferably made of a flexible material, such as e.g. made of plastic, in particular of a plastic injection-molded part with a metal insert.

The assembly method according to the invention has the particular advantage that a subsequent alignment of the headlamp units is not required. The final alignment of the headlamp units already takes place during the attachment of the fitting parts to the mudguard benches. As a result, the headlamp units are aligned relative to the fender benches. For this purpose, the socket parts may each have a positioning pin.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a carrier according to the invention for the front unit of a motor vehicle,

FIG. 2 shows the middle part of the carrier of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a socket part,

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a mounting part,

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the holder part of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the socket part,

FIG. 7 shows the pre-assembly of the socket parts on the middle part,

FIG. 8 shows a detail view for illustrating the pre-assembly,

FIG. 9 shows the mounting of a headlight frame in one of the socket parts,

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of a frame with a positioning pin,

FIG. 11 is a detail view illustrating the headlight frame engaged in the positioning pin; FIG. 12 shows the carrier with the mounted headlight frames,

13 shows the supply of the preassembled carrier to the shell of the motor vehicle,

FIG. 14 shows the positioning of a mounting part on a fender bench of the motor vehicle,

FIG. 15 shows the front unit mounted on the motor vehicle frame.

FIG. 1 shows a carrier 100 for the front unit of a motor vehicle. The carrier 100 has a central part 102, on which a left-hand holder part 104 and a right-hand holder part 106 are arranged. Each of the socket parts 104 and 106 serves to receive a respective headlamp unit (not shown in FIG. 1). For complete enclosure of the headlamp unit, each of the socket parts 104 and 106 is formed closed.

The complete enclosure of the headlamp units by the socket parts 104 and 106, respectively, makes it possible to fix the socket parts 104, 106 with the headlamp units to the mudguard seats during assembly, without the need for subsequent alignment of the headlamp units. The final positioning of the headlamp units relative to the fender benches thus takes place already by the mounting of the socket parts 104 and 106, respectively.

Preferably, the central portion 102 of the socket parts 104 and 106 is removable.

The middle part 102 has on each side three slots 108 for fixing the socket parts 104 and 106. For example, the socket parts 104 and 106 are loosely pre-bolted during assembly with the central part 102 , so that a tolerance compensation is possible. After mounting the socket parts 104, 106 on the fender benches and the side members takes place the final screwed fitting of the socket parts 104, 106 at the middle part in the then resulting situation.

The central portion 102 also has openings 110 for a cold air intake and a receptacle for a distance radar 112 and a fishing hook handle 114th

3 shows an embodiment of the socket part 106. The socket part 106 forms a headlight socket 116 for complete enclosure of a headlamp unit. In the holder part 106, three holes 118 for forming screw connections with the corresponding elongated holes 108 of the middle part 102 (see FIG.

Furthermore, two holes 120 are arranged on the mounting part 106, which serve for fastening the socket part 106 to the right wing bank (not shown in FIG. 3) of the motor vehicle.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the socket part 106 of FIG. 3 with an angular element 122 for fastening the socket part 106 to the right-hand side member of the motor vehicle. The angular element 122 serves for tolerance compensation.

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the socket part 106 with the angular element 122. For fixing the angle-shaped element 122 on the longitudinal member, the angular element 122 has slots 126. Through the

Long holes 124 and 126, a tolerance compensation in the attachment of the socket part 106 on the longitudinal member is possible.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the holder part 106 with lug-shaped elements 128, which serve for fastening the holder part 106 to the right-hand side member of the motor vehicle with tolerance compensation. In order to enable the tolerance compensation, the tab-shaped elements 128 are flexible. 7 shows the pre-assembly of the socket parts 104 and 106 at the middle part 102. For the pre-assembly, the holes 118 of the socket parts 104 and 106 (see FIG. 3) are aligned with the corresponding elongated holes 108 of the middle part 102 (see FIG vorverschraubt, The alignment of the holes 118 on the slots 108 of the central portion 102 shows the detail view of Figure 8. The screw the elongated holes 108 of the central portion 102 with the holes 118 of the socket parts 104 and 106 are only pre-screwed so that still a tolerance compensation, that is a Relative movement in the direction of arrow 130 is possible.

FIG. 9 shows the mounting of a headlight frame 132 in the left-hand socket part 104. The headlight frame 132 is part of a headlight unit (not shown in FIG. 9) which may have different lighting elements and optical elements.

For fastening the headlight frame 132 to the headlight unit in the mounting part 104, different mounting claws 134 are arranged on the mounting part 104. Further, a positioning nierstift 136 is arranged on the socket part 104, which serves to align the headlight frame 132 in the socket part 104 and relative to the fender (not shown in Figure 9) of the motor vehicle.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the holder part 104 with the positioning pin 136. The positioning pin 136 tapers as an assembly aid at its two ends 138 and 140. The end 138 serves to position the headlight frame 132 in the socket part 104, whereas the end 140 serves to position the socket part 104 with the headlight frame 132 on the left wing bank.

11 shows a detailed view of the holder part 104 after the headlight frame 132 has been mounted in the headlight socket 116 formed by the holder part 104 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. For positioning the headlight frame 132, the end 138 of the positioning pin 136 engages with a mounting hole of the headlight frame 132.

FIG. 12 shows the preassembled carrier 100 with the middle part 102 and the mounting parts 104 and 106 pre-screwed to the middle part 102. The headlight units with the headlight frame 132 are likewise already mounted in the fitting parts 104 and 106, respectively.

FIG. 13 shows the supply of the preassembled carrier 100 with the aid of an assembly jig 142 to the bodyshell of the motor vehicle, of which the longitudinal members 144 and 146 and the fender banks 148 and 150 are illustrated.

For mounting the carrier 100 on the body shell of the motor vehicle, first the mounting parts 104 and 106 are mounted on the fender benches 148 and 150, respectively. FIG. 14 shows the socket part 148 and the fender bank 148. The fender bank 148 has holes 152 for forming screw connections with the corresponding holes 120 of the socket part 104. Before the screw connection is formed, the socket part 104 is attached to the fender bank 148 positioning of the positioning pin 136 is inserted by its end 138 in a positioning hole 154 of the fender bank 148.

Thereafter, the screw connection for connecting the socket part 104 with the fender bank 148 can be tightened. The headlight unit with the headlight frame 132 is thus already aligned relative to the fender bank 148.

Subsequently, the socket parts 104 and 106 with the angular elements 122 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5) and the tab-shaped elements 128 (see Figure 6) on the longitudinal beams 144 and 146 (see Figure 13) screwed. Finally, the screw connections for fastening the socket parts 104 and 106 to the middle part 102 are firmly tightened, that is to say the screw connections which are between the oblong holes 108 of the middle part 102 2 and the holes 118 in the mounting parts 104 and 106 (see FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the completely assembled carrier 100 on the shell of the motor vehicle.

Alternatively, during assembly, it is also possible to proceed in such a way that initially only the socket parts 104 and 106 are mounted on the fender banks 148, 150 and then on the longitudinal carriers 144, 146. The middle part 102 is then positioned and screwed to the mounting parts 104 and 106 thereafter.

Should it be necessary at a later time to remove the engine of the motor vehicle, so this does not have the entire front end to be dismantled, as is required in the prior art, especially in motor vehicles with large displacement. To remove the motor, it is sufficient to remove the central part 102 by loosening the screw connections with the mounting parts 104 and 106.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 carriers

102 middle section

104 socket part

106 socket part

108 long holes

110 openings

112 recording

114 fishing hooks

116 headlight socket

118 holes

120 holes

122 angular element

124 slot

126 slot

128 tab-shaped element

130 arrow direction

132 headlight frame

134 fixing claw

136 positioning pin

138 end

140 end

142 mounting lining

144 side members

146 side members

148 fender bench

150 fender bench

152 holes

154 positioning hole

Claims

Patent claims A support for the front unit of a motor vehicle having a central part (102) and a left and right mounting part (104, 106), wherein the mounting parts are each designed to completely surround a headlamp unit (132), and with first attachment means (108, 118) for fastening the socket parts to the middle part, wherein the first fastening means are designed for tolerance compensation. 2. A carrier according to claim 1, wherein the central part of the socket parts is removable. 3. A carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first attachment means for pre-positioning of the socket parts are formed on the central part. 4. A carrier according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first fastening means comprise at least one slot (108). 5. Carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the socket parts second fastening means (122, 126, 128) for attachment to the longitudinal members (144, 146) of the motor vehicle. 6. A carrier according to claim 5, wherein the second fastening means are formed to a tolerance compensation. 7. A carrier according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second fastening means comprise an angular element (122) for tolerance compensation. 8. A carrier according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the second fastening means comprise at least one tab-shaped element (128). A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the socket parts comprises a positioning pin (136) for positioning the headlight units in the socket parts and relative to the fender banks (148, 150) of the motor vehicle. 10. A carrier according to claim 9, wherein the positioning pin is designed to engage in a headlight frame (132). 11. A carrier according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the positioning pin tapers in the mounting direction on one of the fender benches and wherein the tapered end (140) of the positioning pin for insertion into a mounting hole (154) of the respective fender bank is formed. 12. A carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the Fas- sungsteile third fastening means (120) for attachment to the fender benches of the motor vehicle. 13. Front unit for a motor vehicle with a carrier according to one of the preceding claims. 14. A method for mounting a support for the front unit of a motor vehicle, wherein the carrier has a central part (102) and on the middle part prepositioned left and right socket parts (104, 106) for headlight units (132), comprising the following steps: a) fixing the socket parts to the fender benches (148, 150) of the motor vehicle, b) fixing the socket parts to the longitudinal members (144, 146) of the motor vehicle, c) fixing the socket parts to the middle part with fastening means (108, 118) suitable for a tolerance compensation are formed, wherein step c) is carried out after steps a) and b). 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the headlamp units are aligned in the socket parts by positioning pins (136). 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the headlamp units are aligned with the mounting pins relative to the fender benches in the mounting of the socket parts on the fender benches relative to the fender benches. 17. The method of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the socket parts are pre-positioned at the central part prior to the implementation of steps a) and b). 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pre-positioning is done by loose screw. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein step c) by tightening the Screw connections is performed.