U.S. patent application number 11/564377 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for pedestrian protection apparatus for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masanobu FUKUKAWA, Naoki Goda, Kuniaki Hasegawa, Kaoru Ito, Hiroki Kurokawa, Yoshihiro Ogura, Yoshiyuki Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20070138815 11/564377 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37888237 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070138815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUKUKAWA; Masanobu ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, including a
plate member which is disposed at a front face of the vehicle,
which includes front and rear portions, and which is fixed at the
rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading end part of the
front portion protruded from the front face of the vehicle, the
apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian,
thereby protecting the leg portion, wherein the leading end part
includes at least one horizontally extending portion and a
plurality of vertically extending portions each having an anterior
surface substantially orthogonal to a horizontal plane, the
horizontally extending portion and the vertically extending
portions being formed integrally with the leading end part so as to
be alternately disposed in the frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle and extend in a staircase-like form.
Inventors: |
FUKUKAWA; Masanobu;
(Toyota-Shi, JP) ; Ogura; Yoshihiro; (Toyota-Shi,
JP) ; Ito; Kaoru; (Nisshin-Shi, JP) ;
Hasegawa; Kuniaki; (Kariya-Shi, JP) ; Kurokawa;
Hiroki; (Toyota-Shi, JP) ; Yamamoto; Yoshiyuki;
(Takahama-Shi, JP) ; Goda; Naoki; (Chiryu-Shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
Kojima Press Industry Co.,
Ltd.
Toyota-shi
JP
Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
37888237 |
Appl. No.: |
11/564377 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
293/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2019/184 20130101;
B60R 2021/0053 20130101; B60R 21/34 20130101; B60R 19/12 20130101;
B60R 19/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
293/15 |
International
Class: |
B60R 19/00 20060101
B60R019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 21, 2005 |
JP |
2005-368575 |
Dec 28, 2005 |
JP |
2005-377664 |
Claims
1. A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a
plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a front face of
the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and backward direction
of the vehicle, which is made of a synthetic resin, which includes
a front portion and a rear portion, and which is fixed at the rear
portion to the vehicle with at least a leading end part of the
front portion protruded from the front face of the vehicle, the
apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian
that has collided with the front face of the vehicle by contact of
the leading end part of the front portion of the plate member with
the leg portion of the pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg
portion of the pedestrian, wherein the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member includes at least one
horizontally extending portion each of which extends horizontally
in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle and a
plurality of vertically extending portions each of which has an
anterior surface substantially orthogonal to a horizontal plane and
each of which extends in a vertical direction, the at least one
horizontally extending portion and the plurality of vertically
extending portions being formed integrally with the leading end
part such that each of the at least one horizontally extending
portion and each of the plurality of vertically extending portions
are alternately disposed in the frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle so as to extend in a staircase-like form, whereby the
leading end part has a staircase-like portion constituted by the at
least one horizontally extending portion and the plurality of
vertically extending portions.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a forward end of the
staircase-like portion is constituted by one of the plurality of
vertically extending portions, and wherein one of vertically
opposite ends of said one of the plurality of vertically extending
portions that is nearer to one of the at least one horizontally
extending portion which is adjacent to said one of the plurality of
vertically extending portions is located at a middle portion of the
staircase-like portion in a height direction thereof.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a forward end of the
staircase-like portion is constituted by one of the at least one
horizontally extending portion.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reinforcing ribs for
reinforcing the front portion of the plate member are formed on a
part of the front portion that at least includes the staircase-like
portion, such that the reinforcing ribs are integral with posterior
surfaces of the plurality of vertically extending portions in the
staircase-like portion, so as to extend in the frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle.
5. A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a
plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a front face of
the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and backward direction
of the vehicle with a suitable width, which is made of a synthetic
resin, which includes a front portion and a rear portion, and which
is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading
end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the
vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a
pedestrian that has collided with the front face of the vehicle by
contact of the leading end part of the front portion of the plate
member with the leg portion of the pedestrian, thereby protecting
the leg portion of the pedestrian, wherein the plate member
includes: a horizontally extending portion which is located at the
leading end part of the front portion of the plate member so as to
horizontally extend over an entire width of the plate member; a
front-side vertically extending portion which is formed integrally
with a front end of the horizontally extending portion so as to
extend in a vertical direction; a rear-side vertically extending
portion which is formed integrally with a rear end of the
horizontally extending portion so as to extend in the vertical
direction such that the rear-side vertically extending portion is
opposed to the front-side vertically extending portion with a
suitable distance interposed therebetween; and a connecting portion
which is constituted by a proximal end part of the front portion of
the plate member that extends in the frontward and backward
direction on the back side of the rear-side vertically extending
portion and which connects, integrally to the rear portion of the
plate member, a posterior surface of the rear-side vertically
extending portion at a point thereof having a height position
different from a height position of a connecting point of an
anterior surface of the rear-side vertically extending portion at
which the rear-side vertically extending portion is connected to
the horizontally extending portion, and wherein the front portion
of the plate member is constituted by including, at the leading end
part thereof, a U-shaped portion having a U-shaped configuration in
vertical cross section.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the front-side
vertically extending portion is bent at substantially right angles
at a plurality of locations of a middle portion thereof as seen in
a height direction thereof, so as to extend in the vertical
direction in a staircase-like form.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein reinforcing portions
for increasing strength of the front portion of the plate member is
provided on the front portion, so as to prevent easy deformation of
the front portion due to an impact load applied thereto resulting
from collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian with the front
face of the vehicle.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing
portions are constituted by reinforcing ribs formed integrally on
the front portion of the plate member such that the reinforcing
ribs are integral with a posterior surface of the front-side
vertically extending portion and posterior surfaces of the
plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions, so as to
extend in the frontward and backward direction.
9. A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a
plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a front face of
the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and backward direction
of the vehicle with a suitable width, which is made of a synthetic
resin, which includes a front portion and a rear portion, and which
is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading
end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the
vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a
pedestrian that has collided with the front face of the vehicle by
contact of the leading end part of the front portion of the plate
member with the leg portion of the pedestrian, thereby protecting
the leg portion of the pedestrian, wherein the plate member
includes: a front-side vertically extending portion which is
located at the leading end part of the front portion of the plate
member so as to vertically extend over an entire width of the plate
member; a plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions
which are located at the back of the front-side vertically
extending portion with a suitable distance interposed therebetween
so as to extend in the vertical direction over the entire width of
the plate member such that the plurality of rear-side vertically
extending portions are opposed to the front-side vertically
extending portion and spaced apart from each other by a suitable
distance in the frontward and backward direction; a plurality of
horizontally extending portions which are located between mutually
corresponding vertical ends of a forwardmost one of the plurality
of rear-side vertically extending portions and the front-side
vertically extending portion and between mutually corresponding
vertical ends of the plurality of rear-side vertically extending
portions, such that the plurality of horizontally extending
portions horizontally extend over the entire width of the plate
member and such that adjacent two of the plurality of horizontally
extending portions in the frontward and backward direction are
located at mutually different height levels, thereby connecting the
front-side vertically extending portion and the forwardmost one of
the plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions integrally
to each other and connecting the plurality of rear-side vertically
extending portions to each other; and a connecting portion which is
constituted by a proximal end part of the front portion of the
plate member that is located on the back side of a rearmost one of
the plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions so as to
extend in the frontward and backward direction and which connects,
integrally to the rear portion of the plate member, a posterior
surface of the rearmost one of the plurality of rear-side
vertically extending portions at a point thereof having a different
height position from that of a connecting point of an anterior
surface of the rearmost one of the plurality of vertically
extending portions at which the rearmost one of the plurality of
vertically extending portions is connected to a corresponding one
of the plurality of horizontally extending portions, and wherein
the leading end part of the front portion of the plate member
extends in a zigzag form in a height direction with a U-shaped
configuration in vertical cross section.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the front-side
vertically extending portion is bent at substantially right angles
at a plurality of locations of a middle portion thereof as seen in
a height direction thereof, so as to extend in the vertical
direction in a staircase-like form.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein reinforcing
portions for increasing strength of the front portion of the plate
member is provided on the front portion, so as to prevent easy
deformation of the front portion due to an impact load applied
thereto resulting from collision of the leg portion of the
pedestrian with the front face of the vehicle.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing
portions are constituted by reinforcing ribs formed integrally on
the front portion of the plate member such that the reinforcing
ribs are integral with a posterior surface of the front-side
vertically extending portion and posterior surfaces of the
plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions, so as to
extend in the frontward and backward direction.
Description
[0001] The present application is based on Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 2005-368575 and 2005-377664 filed on Dec. 21, 2005
and Dec. 28, 2005, respectively, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates in general to a pedestrian
protection apparatus for a vehicle, and in particular to an
improved structure of the pedestrian protection apparatus disposed
at a lower part of a front face of the vehicle and arranged to
sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian by contact with the leg portion
of the pedestrian that has collided with or contacted the front
face of the vehicle, thereby protecting the leg portion of the
pedestrian.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] In vehicles such as automotive vehicles, there are
conventionally disposed, at a front face, a rear face, or a side
face, of the vehicles, various types of protection apparatus which
absorb an impact energy generated upon a collision for thereby
protecting a vehicle body and passengers of the vehicle. In recent
years, there is disposed, at the front face of the vehicle, an
apparatus for protecting a pedestrian upon collision or contact of
the pedestrian with the front face of the vehicle.
[0006] As one type of the pedestrian protection apparatus, there is
known a so-called leg-sweep apparatus which is disposed inside of a
front bumper or disposed independently of the front bumper. The
leg-sweep apparatus is arranged to apply, to a leg portion of the
pedestrian, counterforce with respect to an impact load that is
inputted upon collision of the pedestrian with the front face of
the vehicle and sweep (scoop up) the leg portion of the pedestrian,
thereby causing the pedestrian to fall down or to be thrown over
toward the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to minimize occurrence of
injuries to the knee such as bone fractures, thereby assuring
protection and safety of the pedestrian.
[0007] Examples of the leg-sweep apparatus as one type of the
pedestrian protection apparatus are disclosed in a patent
publication document 1 (JP-A-2001-277963) and a patent publication
document 2 (JP-A-2004-25976), for instance. The pedestrian
protection apparatus disclosed in the patent publication document 1
is arranged to be disposed at the lower part of the front face of
the vehicle and includes resin foam body which extends in a vehicle
width direction with at least a part of the resin foam body
protruded from the front face of the vehicle and a beam member
which extends in the vehicle width direction while being in contact
with the back surface of the resin foam body. The pedestrian
protection apparatus disclosed in the patent publication document 2
is arranged to be disposed at the lower part of the vehicle and
includes a metal pipe or the like which is fixed to the lower part
of the front face of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle
width direction. However, the pedestrian protection apparatus
disclosed in those documents have drawbacks which should be
rectified. In the former pedestrian protection apparatus including
the resin foam body and the beam member, the number of the
components is undesirably large, and therefore the cost of the
components is high. Further, it is troublesome to install or mount
the apparatus on the vehicle. In the latter pedestrian protection
apparatus including the metal pipe, the weight of the apparatus
inevitably increases. In addition, it is difficult to form into a
configuration following that of the front face of the vehicle.
[0008] Under such situations, there has been proposed, in a patent
publication document 3 (JP-A-2004-203183), for instance, a
pedestrian protection apparatus arranged to be disposed to extend
in a frontward and backward direction of a vehicle. The disclosed
apparatus includes a plate member which is formed of a synthetic
resin, which includes a front portion and a rear portion, and which
is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading
end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the
vehicle. The pedestrian protection apparatus disclosed in the
patent publication document 3 is arranged to sweep a leg portion of
a pedestrian that has collided with the front face of the vehicle
by contact of the leading end part of the front portion of the
plate member protruding from the front face of the vehicle, with
the leg portion of the pedestrian. In this conventional pedestrian
protection apparatus, there are formed, on one surface of the front
portion of the plate member, a plurality of first ribs having a
planar shape and extending in the frontward and backward direction
of the vehicle and a plurality of second ribs having a planar shape
and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, which first
and second ribs are assembled in a lattice. In this structure, the
front portion of the plate member is reinforced, that is, the
rigidity of the front portion of the plate member is increased,
owing to the ribs formed thereon.
[0009] In such a pedestrian protection apparatus, the number of the
components is small. Further, the plate member whose leading end
part is protruded from the front face of the vehicle is made of the
synthetic resin that is excellent in formability. Accordingly, the
disclosed apparatus assures protection of the pedestrian while
eliminating the drawbacks of the above-indicated apparatus
including the resin foam body and the beam member and the drawbacks
of the above-indicated apparatus including the metal pipe. Further,
the front portion of the plate member is reinforced, that is, the
rigidity of the front portion is increased, by the plurality of
first and second ribs formed as described above, whereby, when the
front portion of the plate member comes into contact with the leg
portion of the pedestrian, the front portion is prevented from
being deformed due to impact upon the contact or the deformation
amount of the front portion is made sufficiently small. Therefore,
it is possible to stably assure counterforce with respect to the
impact load inputted to the plate member.
[0010] However, the conventional pedestrian protection apparatus
having the plate member formed of the synthetic resin experience
the following drawbacks.
[0011] The above-described pedestrian protection apparatus is
generally disposed inside of the front bumper such that the planar
second ribs provided on the front portion of the plate member are
opposed to the inner surface of the front bumper. The cross
sectional shape of the front bumper taken along a vertical plane
which is parallel to the frontward and backward direction of the
vehicle is a convex curved shape protruding forward. Where the
inner surface of the front bumper has a convex curved surface
configuration in correspondence with the shape of the front bumper,
there is inevitably formed a comparatively large clearance between
the inner surface of the front bumper and the planar second ribs of
the plate member.
[0012] Further, in the pedestrian protection apparatus described
above, in general, the leading end part of the front portion of the
plate member is positioned so as to protrude from the front face of
the vehicle with the rear portion of the plate member fixed to a
radiator support, a cross member or the like. Accordingly, the
dimension of the plate member as measured in the frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle is relatively large. The increase
in the dimension of the plate member as measured in the frontward
and backward direction of the vehicle, however, leads to
insufficient rigidity (insufficient strength with respect to
deformation) against the impact load inputted thereto upon
collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian with the front face
of the vehicle. Where the flexural or bending rigidity of the plate
member is insufficient, the front portion of the plate member is
initially deflected or bent with ease, so that the timing of
initial rise of the impact load in the load characteristics (abrupt
rise of the load in the load-displacement curve) is delayed,
thereby making it impossible to instantaneously exhibit sufficient
counterforce with respect to the impact load. In this case, the
pedestrian protection apparatus fails to instantaneously or
promptly sweep the leg portion of the pedestrian.
[0013] In the meantime, as the pedestrian protection apparatus
which is to be disposed inside of the front bumper with the leading
end part of the front portion of the plate member opposed to the
inner surface of the front bumper having the convex curved surface
configuration, there is known a structure that the surface of the
leading end part of the plate member that confronts the inner
surface of the front bumper is made as a convex curved surface
corresponding to the inner surface of the front bumper, as
disclosed in a patent publication document 4 (JP-A-2002-274298),
for instance. The disclosed structure prevents formation of a large
clearance between the leading end part of the plate member and the
inner surface of the front bumper.
[0014] In the pedestrian protection apparatus having such a
structure, however, the impact load that acts in a backward
direction of the vehicle when the leg portion of the pedestrian
collides with the front bumper is inputted to the convex curved
surface of the leading end part of the plate member. Accordingly,
upon inputting of the impact load, there is generated force that
lifts up the leading end part of the plate portion. In this
instance, the leading end part of the plate member is deformed so
as to be rolled up, resulting in a delay in the rise of the impact
load in the load characteristics. Accordingly, the pedestrian
protection apparatus in which the leading end part of the plate
member has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner
surface of the front bumper also suffers from the problem that the
leg portion of the pedestrian cannot be promptly swept.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been developed in the light of the
aforementioned situations. It is therefore an object of the
invention to provide a pedestrian protection apparatus for a
vehicle capable of sufficiently protecting a leg portion of a
pedestrian that has collided with a front face of the vehicle by
promptly and reliably sweeping the leg portion of the
pedestrian.
[0016] The above-indicated object of the invention may be attained
according to a first aspect of the invention, which provides a
pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a plate
member which is disposed at a lower part of a front face of the
vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle, which is made of a synthetic resin, which includes a
front portion and a rear portion, and which is fixed at the rear
portion to the vehicle with at least a leading end part of the
front portion protruded from the front face of the vehicle, the
apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian
that has collided with the front face of the vehicle by contact of
the leading end part of the front portion of the plate member with
the leg portion of the pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg
portion of the pedestrian, wherein the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member includes at least one
horizontally extending portion each of which extends horizontally
in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle and a
plurality of vertically extending portions each of which has an
anterior surface substantially orthogonal to a horizontal plane and
each of which extends in a vertical direction, the at least one
horizontally extending portion and the plurality of vertically
extending portions being formed integrally with the leading end
part such that each of the at least one horizontally extending
portion and each of the plurality of vertically extending portions
are alternately disposed in the frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle so as to extend in a staircase-like form, whereby the
leading end part has a staircase-like portion constituted by the at
least one horizontally extending portion and the plurality of
vertically extending portions.
[0017] The "horizontally extending" state mentioned in the present
specification is not strictly limited to a state of extending
straightly in a horizontal direction, but includes a state of
extending while inclining with respect to the horizontal direction
by a slight angle. Similarly, the "vertically extending" state is
not strictly limited to a state of extending straightly in a
vertical direction, but includes a state of extending while
inclining with respect to the vertical direction by a slight angle.
Further, "an anterior surface substantially orthogonal to a
horizontal plane" includes both of a flat surface or a curved
surface formed by a moving path of a vertical line and a flat
surface or a curved surface formed by a moving path of a straight
line that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction by a
slight angle. Hereinafter, these terms are used in the respective
meanings described above.
[0018] In the pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according
to the above-indicated first aspect of the invention, the impact
load generated accompanied by the collision of the leg portion of
the pedestrian is inputted, at the leading end part of the plate
member, substantially perpendicularly to the anterior surface of
each of the plurality of vertically extending portions in the
staircase-like portion. Accordingly, unlike the conventional
apparatus in which the front face of the leading end part of the
plate member is made as a convex curved surface corresponding to
the inner surface of the front bumper whose vertical cross
sectional shape is the above-described convex curved shape, the
present apparatus does not suffer from force that lifts up the
leading end part of the plate member upon inputting of the impact
load thereto, so that it is possible to advantageously eliminate or
restrain the delay of the rise of the impact load in the load
characteristics due to occurrence of deformation of the leading end
part of the plate member so as to be rolled up. In addition, upon
the collision with the leg portion of the pedestrian, the area of
the leading end part of the plate member which comes into contact
with the leg portion of the pedestrian can be made large.
Consequently, the impact load can be reliably and sufficiently
inputted to the leading end part of the plate member, allowing
larger counterforce to be exhibited.
[0019] In the present apparatus, a part of or an entirety of the
leading end part of the plate member is formed by the
staircase-like portion constituted by the plurality of vertically
extending portions and the at least one horizontally extending
portion. According to the arrangement, at the leading end part of
the plate member, the plurality of vertically extending portions
are located at mutually different height levels in the forward and
backward direction with each of the at least one horizontally
extending portion being interposed between adjacent two of the
plurality of vertically extending portions. Therefore, even where
the leading end part of the plate member is deposed inside of the
front bumper whose vertical cross sectional shape is the curved
convex shape, such that the leading end part of the plate member is
opposed to the inner surface of the front bumper having the curved
convex shape, the clearance formed between the inner surface of the
front bumper and the anterior surface of each vertically extending
portion can be minimized.
[0020] Because the staircase-like portion includes the at least one
horizontally extending portion, there are formed portions extending
in a direction in which the impact load is inputted (i.e.,
horizontal portions extending in the horizontal direction that is
the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle) at a plural
locations of the plate member such that those portions have
mutually different height levels. Accordingly, the counterforce
with respect to the impact load can be sufficiently exhibited at
the plurality of locations. Moreover, the portions of the plate
portion that extend in the input direction of the impact load are
in a divided state, so that moment arm in the plate member can be
advantageously shortened, thereby reducing rotation force generated
in the plate member upon inputting of the impact thereto.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent, with high reliability, the
leading end part of the plate member from being deformed to be
rolled up, resulting in a prompt rise of the impact load in the
load characteristics.
[0021] In the pedestrian protection apparatus constructed as
described above, it is possible to promptly and reliably sweep,
with sufficient counterforce, the leg portion of the pedestrian
that has collided with the front face of the vehicle even when the
apparatus is disposed independently of the front bumper and even
when the apparatus is disposed inside of the front bumper whose
vertical cross sectional shape is the convex curved shape. As a
result, the present apparatus is capable of sufficiently protecting
the leg portion of the pedestrian at a higher level.
[0022] Because the present pedestrian protection apparatus permits
a prompt rise of the impact load in the load characteristics, the
impact load reaches a target value quickly. Accordingly, the
present pedestrian protection apparatus effectively assures a
sufficient amount of the impact-absorbing stroke accompanied by
buckling deformation of the horizontally extending portion after
the impact load in the load characteristics has reached the target
value.
[0023] The above-indicated object of the present invention may also
be attained according to a second aspect of the invention, which
provides a pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
comprising a plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a
front face of the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle with a suitable width, which is
made of a synthetic resin, which includes a front portion and a
rear portion, and which is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle
with at least a leading end part of the front portion protruded
from the front face of the vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to
sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian that has collided with the
front face of the vehicle by contact of the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member with the leg portion of the
pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg portion of the pedestrian,
wherein the plate member includes: a horizontally extending portion
which is located at the leading end part of the front portion of
the plate member so as to horizontally extend over an entire width
of the plate member; a front-side vertically extending portion
which is formed integrally with a front end of the horizontally
extending portion so as to extend in a vertical direction; a
rear-side vertically extending portion which is formed integrally
with a rear end of the horizontally extending portion so as to
extend in the vertical direction such that the rear-side vertically
extending portion is opposed to the front-side vertically extending
portion with a suitable distance interposed therebetween; and a
connecting portion which is constituted by a proximal end part of
the front portion of the plate member that extends in the frontward
and backward direction on the back side of the rear-side vertically
extending portion and which connects, integrally to the rear
portion of the plate member, a posterior surface of the rear-side
vertically extending portion at a point thereof having a height
position different from a height position of a connecting point of
an anterior surface of the rear-side vertically extending portion
at which the rear-side vertically extending portion is connected to
the horizontally extending portion, and wherein the front portion
of the plate member is constituted by including, at the leading end
part thereof, a U-shaped portion having a U-shaped configuration in
vertical cross section.
[0024] Concerning the "horizontally extending" state and the
"vertically extending" state, the explanation made above with
respect to the first aspect is applicable.
[0025] In the pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according
to the above-indicated second aspect of the invention, the U-shaped
portion provided at the leading end part of the front portion of
the plate member functions as a bead that reinforces the front
portion of the plate member. Accordingly, even when the entire
length of the plate member (i.e., the dimension of the plate member
as measured in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle)
is relatively large, it is possible to sufficiently assure bending
or flexural strength of the front portion, in particular, the
rigidity (the strength with respect to deformation) against the
impact load inputted thereto upon the collision of the leg portion
of the pedestrian with the front face of the vehicle. Therefore,
the front portion of the plate member is advantageously prevented
from easily deflected upon inputting of the impact load.
[0026] In the pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according
to the above-indicated second aspect of the invention, when the leg
portion of the pedestrian comes into contact with the leading end
part of the front portion of the plate member as a result of
collision of the leg portion against the front face of the vehicle,
the front-side vertically extending portion is deformed so as to be
inclined with respect to the vertical direction by a suitable angle
while the horizontally extending portion is displaced backward.
Further, the rear-side vertically extending portion is deformed so
as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction by a
suitable angle. Accordingly, the impact load is designed to be
gradually transmitted from the front portion to the rear portion of
the plate member. In this instance, since the front-side and the
rear-side vertically extending portions are formed to extend in the
vertical direction over the entire width of the plate member, those
front-side and rear-side vertically extending portions are deformed
over a wide range in the width direction of the plate ember (i.e.,
in the vehicle width direction), whereby the impact load can be
effectively transmitted also in the width direction of the plate
member. As a result, the impact load is advantageously distributed
in the front portion of the plate member, so that the leading end
part of the plate member is effectively prevented from being easily
deflected.
[0027] Moreover, in the present apparatus, the impact load
generated by the collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian is
inputted substantially perpendicularly with respect to the
front-side vertically extending portion located at the leading end
part of the plate member. According to the arrangement, there is
generated no force that lifts up the leading end part of the plate
member upon inputting of the impact load thereto, thereby
effectively preventing the leading end part of the plate member
from being deformed, i.e., rolled up.
[0028] Thus, in the pedestrian protection apparatus constructed
according to the second aspect of the invention, the front portion
of the plate member is effectively prevented from being easily
deformed or deflected by the impact load, arising from insufficient
rigidity with respect to the impact load, concentration of stress
of the impact load, the configuration of the leading end part of
the plate portion, and the like. As a result, the delay of the rise
of the impact load in the load characteristics can be obviated.
[0029] The pedestrian protection apparatus constructed as described
above permits a prompt rise of the impact load in the load
characteristics and thereby instantaneously exhibits a sufficient
degree of counterforce with respect to the impact load.
Consequently, the present pedestrian protection apparatus is
capable of promptly and reliably sweep the leg portion of the
pedestrian collided with the front face of the vehicle, thereby
protecting the leg portion with higher reliability.
[0030] Because the present pedestrian protection apparatus permits
a prompt rise of the impact load in the load characteristics as
described above, the impact load reaches a target value more
quickly. Accordingly, the present pedestrian protection apparatus
effectively assures a sufficient amount of the impact-absorbing
stroke accompanied by buckling deformation of the horizontally
extending portion after the impact load in the load characteristics
has reached the target value.
FORMS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present invention is preferably practiced in at least
the following forms.
[0032] (1) A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
comprising a plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a
front face of the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle, which is made of a synthetic
resin, which includes a front portion and a rear portion, and which
is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading
end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the
vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a
pedestrian that has collided with the front face of the vehicle by
contact of the leading end part of the front portion of the plate
member with the leg portion of the pedestrian, thereby protecting
the leg portion of the pedestrian,
[0033] wherein the leading end part of the front portion of the
plate member includes at least one horizontally extending portion
each of which extends horizontally in the frontward and backward
direction of the vehicle and a plurality of vertically extending
portions each of which has an anterior surface substantially
orthogonal to a horizontal plane and each of which extends in a
vertical direction, the at least one horizontally extending portion
and the plurality of vertically extending portions being formed
integrally with the leading end part such that each of the at least
one horizontally extending portion and each of the plurality of
vertically extending portions are alternately disposed in the
frontward and backward direction of the vehicle so as to extend in
a staircase-like form, whereby the leading end part has a
staircase-like portion constituted by the at least one horizontally
extending portion and the plurality of vertically extending
portions.
[0034] (2) The apparatus according to the above form (1),
[0035] wherein a forward end of the staircase-like portion is
constituted by one of the plurality of vertically extending
portions, and
[0036] wherein one of vertically opposite ends of the one of the
plurality of vertically extending portions that is nearer to one of
the at least one horizontally extending portion which is adjacent
to the one of the plurality of vertically extending portions is
located at a middle portion of the staircase-like portion
(including the vicinity of the middle portion) in a height
direction thereof.
[0037] According to the above-indicated form (2), upon collision of
the leg portion of the pedestrian against the front face of the
vehicle, the leg portion is initially brought into contact with the
front end of the horizontally extending portion located at the
middle portion of the staircase-like portion in its height
direction. Accordingly, the impact load acts, with high
reliability, on the leading end part of the plate member in the
horizontal direction, whereby the leading end part of the plate
member is more effectively prevented from being deformed or rolled
up. As a result, the leg portion of the pedestrian can be more
efficiently and reliably protected.
[0038] (3) The apparatus according to the above form (1), wherein a
forward end of the staircase-like portion is constituted by one of
the at least one horizontally extending portion.
[0039] According to the above-indicated form (3), when the present
pedestrian protection apparatus is disposed inside of the front
bumper having the convex curved configuration in the vertical cross
section, a clearance between the inner surface of the front bumper
and the leading end part of the plate member can be made small,
thereby effectively assuring a prompt rise of the impact load in
the load characteristics. Hence, the protection of the leg portion
of the pedestrian can be realized at a higher level.
[0040] (4) The apparatus according to any one of the above forms
(1)-(3), wherein reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the front portion
of the plate member are formed on a part of the front portion that
at least includes the staircase-like portion, such that the
reinforcing ribs are integral with posterior surfaces of the
plurality of vertically extending portions in the staircase-like
portion, so as to extend in the frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle.
[0041] According to the above-indicated from (4), the rigidity of
the front portion of the plate member can be advantageously
increased, thereby permitting the counterforce with respect to the
impact load to be sufficiently exhibited. In consequence, the
function of protecting the leg portion of the pedestrian can be
effectively enhanced. Further, by adjusting the number, the
location, etc., of the reinforcing ribs which are provided on the
part of the front portion of the plate member that at least
includes the staircase-like portion, the rigidity of the front
portion of the plate member can be suitably changed, whereby the
amount of buckling deformation of the front portion of the plate
member accompanied by the input of the impact load can be easily
tuned depending upon the magnitude of the impact load to be
inputted.
[0042] (5) A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
comprising a plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a
front face of the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle with a suitable width, which is
made of a synthetic resin, which includes a front portion and a
rear portion, and which is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle
with at least a leading end part of the front portion protruded
from the front face of the vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to
sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian that has collided with the
front face of the vehicle by contact of the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member with the leg portion of the
pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg portion of the
pedestrian,
[0043] wherein the plate member includes: a horizontally extending
portion which is located at the leading end part of the front
portion of the plate member so as to horizontally extend over an
entire width of the plate member; a front-side vertically extending
portion which is formed integrally with a front end of the
horizontally extending portion so as to extend in a vertical
direction; a rear-side vertically extending portion which is formed
integrally with a rear end of the horizontally extending portion so
as to extend in the vertical direction such that the rear-side
vertically extending portion is opposed to the front-side
vertically extending portion with a suitable distance interposed
therebetween; and a connecting portion which is constituted by a
proximal end part of the front portion of the plate member that
extends in the frontward and backward direction on the back side of
the rear-side vertically extending portion and which connects,
integrally to the rear portion of the plate member, a posterior
surface of the rear-side vertically extending portion at a point
thereof having a height position different from a height position
of a connecting point of an anterior surface of the rear-side
vertically extending portion at which the rear-side vertically
extending portion is connected to the horizontally extending
portion, and
[0044] wherein the front portion of the plate member is constituted
by including, at the leading end part thereof, a U-shaped portion
having a U-shaped configuration in vertical cross section.
[0045] (6) A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle,
comprising a plate member which is disposed at a lower part of a
front face of the vehicle so as to extend in a frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle with a suitable width, which is
made of a synthetic resin, which includes a front portion and a
rear portion, and which is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle
with at least a leading end part of the front portion protruded
from the front face of the vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to
sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian that has collided with the
front face of the vehicle by contact of the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member with the leg portion of the
pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg portion of the
pedestrian,
[0046] wherein the plate member includes: a front-side vertically
extending portion which is located at the leading end part of the
front portion of the plate member so as to vertically extend over
an entire width of the plate member; a plurality of rear-side
vertically extending portions which are located at the back of the
front-side vertically extending portion with a suitable distance
interposed therebetween so as to extend in the vertical direction
over the entire width of the plate member such that the plurality
of rear-side vertically extending portions are opposed to the
front-side vertically extending portion and spaced apart from each
other by a suitable distance in the frontward and backward
direction; a plurality of horizontally extending portions which are
located between mutually corresponding vertical ends of a
forwardmost one of the plurality of rear-side vertically extending
portions and the front-side vertically extending portion and
between mutually corresponding vertical ends of the plurality of
rear-side vertically extending portions, such that the plurality of
horizontally extending portions horizontally extend over the entire
width of the plate member and such that adjacent two of the
plurality of horizontally extending portions in the frontward and
backward direction are located at mutually different height levels,
thereby connecting the front-side vertically extending portion and
the forwardmost one of the plurality of rear-side vertically
extending portions integrally to each other and connecting the
plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions to each other;
and a connecting portion which is constituted by a proximal end
part of the front portion of the plate member that is located on
the back side of a rearmost one of the plurality of rear-side
vertically extending portions so as to extend in the frontward and
backward direction and which connects, integrally to the rear
portion of the plate member, a posterior surface of the rearmost
one of the plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions at
a point thereof having a different height position from that of a
connecting point of an anterior surface of the rearmost one of the
plurality of vertically extending portions at which the rearmost
one of the plurality of vertically extending portions is connected
to a corresponding one of the plurality of horizontally extending
portions, and
[0047] wherein the leading end part of the front portion of the
plate member extends in a zigzag form in a height direction with a
U-shaped configuration in vertical cross section.
[0048] According to the above-indicated form (6), the leading end
part of the front portion of the plate member has a U-shaped
configuration in vertical cross section and is made as a zigzag
portion in which the U-shaped portion functioning as a bead is
continuously formed in the frontward and backward direction.
Accordingly, the rigidity with respect to the impact load can be
advantageously increased at the front portion of the plate member.
Further, the present apparatus includes, in addition to the
front-side vertically extending portion to which the impact load is
inputted substantially perpendicularly, the plurality of
horizontally extending portions which are displaced backward upon
inputting of the impact load and the plurality of rear-side
vertically extending portions which are deformed so as to be
inclined with respect to the vertical direction by a prescribed
angle. Accordingly, the impact load can be more sufficiently
transmitted toward the width direction of the plate member and
effectively distributed.
[0049] The above-indicated form (6), therefore, permits a prompt
rise of the impact load in the load characteristics, so that
sufficient counterforce with respect to the impact load can be
exhibited at earlier timing. As a result, the leg portion of the
pedestrian collided with the front face of the vehicle can be
instantaneously and reliably swept, assuring further enhanced
performance of protecting the leg portion of the pedestrian.
[0050] Because the above-indicated form (6) permits a prompt rise
of the impact load in the load characteristics, the impact load can
reach a target value quickly, thereby effectively assuring a
sufficient amount of the impact-absorbing stroke accompanied by
buckling deformation of the horizontally extending portion after
the impact load in the load characteristics has reached the target
value.
[0051] (7) The apparatus according to the above form (5) or (6),
wherein the front-side vertically extending portion is bent at
substantially right angles at a plurality of locations of a middle
portion thereof as seen in a height direction thereof, so as to
extend in the vertical direction in a staircase-like form.
[0052] According to the above-indicated form (7), there are formed
portions that extend horizontally, at a plural locations of the
staircase-like portion located at the leading end part of the front
portion of the plate member, such that those portions are in a
divided state. Accordingly, moment arm in front portion of the
plate member can be advantageously shortened, thereby reducing
rotation force generated in the front portion of the plate member
upon inputting of the impact thereto. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent, with high reliability, the front portion of the plate
member from being easily deflected, resulting in a prompt rise of
the impact load in the load characteristics.
[0053] Further, according to the above-indicated form (7), the
plurality of portions which extend horizontally and which are
provided at the leading end part of the plate member are located at
mutually different height levels in the frontward and backward
direction. Therefore, where the present pedestrian protection
apparatus is disposed inside of the front bumper having the convex
curved configuration in vertical cross section such that the
leading end part of the front portion of the plate member is
opposed to the inner surface of the front bumper constituted by the
convex curved surface, it is possible to minimize a clearance
formed between the inner surface of the front bumper and the front
face of the leading end part of the plate member. Therefore, it is
possible to effectively eliminate or restrain the delay of the rise
of the impact load in the load characteristics arising from the
presence of the clearance between the inner surface of the front
bumper and the leading end part of the plate member.
[0054] Accordingly, the above-indicated form (7) permits sufficient
counterforce with respect to the impact load to be exhibited
instantaneously, so that the leg portion of the pedestrian collided
with the front face of the vehicle can be promptly and reliably
swept, assuring advantageously enhanced performance of protection
of the leg portion of the pedestrian.
[0055] (8) The apparatus according to any one of the above forms
(5)-(7), wherein reinforcing portions for increasing strength of
the front portion of the plate member is provided on the front
portion, so as to prevent easy deformation of the front portion due
to an impact load applied thereto resulting from collision of the
leg portion of the pedestrian with the front face of the
vehicle.
[0056] According to the above-indicated form (8), it is possible to
effectively eliminate or restrain easy deflection of the front
portion of the plate member by the impact load arising from
insufficient rigidity with respect to the impact load. As a result,
the above-indicated form (8) effectively realizes a prompt rise of
the impact load in the load characteristics and improvement of the
function of protecting the leg portion of the pedestrian.
[0057] (9) The apparatus according to the above form (8), wherein
the reinforcing portions are constituted by reinforcing ribs formed
integrally on the front portion of the plate member such that the
reinforcing ribs are integral with a posterior surface of the
front-side vertically extending portion and posterior surfaces of
the plurality of rear-side vertically extending portions, so as to
extend in the frontward and backward direction.
[0058] According to the above-indicated form (9), the reinforcing
portions exhibiting excellent characteristics indicated above are
easily formed by molding using metallic dies, Accordingly, the
reinforcing portions are advantageously realized in a comparatively
simple and moderate structure without increasing the number of the
components. Further, by adjusting the installation structure (i.e.,
the number and the location) of the reinforcing ribs provided on
the front portion of the plate member, the rigidity of the front
portion of the plate member can be suitably changed, thereby making
it possible to easily tune the amount of the buckling deformation
of the front portion of the plate member accompanied by the input
of the impact load and the amount of absorption of the impact
energy based on the buckling deformation of the front portion,
depending upon the magnitude of the impact load to be inputted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] The above and other objects, features, advantages and
technical and industrial significance of the present invention will
be better understood by reading the following detailed description
of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0060] FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a pedestrian protection
apparatus constructed according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0062] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the
pedestrian protection apparatus of FIG. 1 is installed on a
vehicle;
[0063] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a
pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according to a second
embodiment of the invention is installed on a vehicle;
[0064] FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing a pedestrian protection
apparatus constructed according to a third embodiment of the
invention:
[0065] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 5;
[0066] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the
pedestrian protection apparatus of FIG. 5 is installed on a
vehicle;
[0067] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a deformation state of
the pedestrian protection apparatus of FIG. 5 upon collision of a
pedestrian with a front face of the vehicle;
[0068] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a
pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according to a fourth
embodiment of the invention is installed on a vehicle;
[0069] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a
pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according to a fifth
embodiment of the invention is installed on a vehicle;
[0070] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing simulation results of
the amount of partial deformation of the present pedestrian
protection apparatus due to the impact load obtained by conducting
a pedestrian collision test on the present pedestrian protection
apparatus; and
[0071] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing simulation results of
the amount of partial deformation of a conventional pedestrian
protection apparatus due to the impact load obtained by conducting
a pedestrian collision test on the conventional pedestrian
protection apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0072] To further clarify the present invention, there will be
described in detail embodiments of the invention with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0073] Referring first to the plan view of FIG. 1 and the vertical
cross sectional view of FIG. 2, there is schematically shown a
leg-sweep apparatus as a pedestrian protection apparatus
constructed according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. The leg-sweep apparatus generally indicated at 10 in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is arranged to be installed inside of a front bumper
which is disposed at a front face of an automotive vehicle. As
apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the present leg-sweep apparatus 10
includes a base plate 12 as a plate member.
[0074] The base plate 12 is formed of a synthetic resin material
such as polypropylene or ABS resin and is constituted by a thin
planar plate having a generally rectangular shape. In the base
plate 12, the dimension as measured in a vertical direction of FIG.
1, i.e., the dimension as measured in a vehicle width direction or
a leftward and rightward (lateral) direction of the vehicle under
installation of the leg-sweep apparatus 10 on the vehicle, is made
smaller than the vehicle width by a suitable amount, and the
dimension as measured in a transverse direction of FIG. 1, i.e.,
the dimension as measured in a frontward and backward direction of
the vehicle (a vehicle length or running direction), is made
sufficiently smaller than the above-indicated dimension as measured
in the leftward and rightward direction.
[0075] The base plate 12 includes a front portion 14 which occupies
a substantially front half region thereof and a rear portion 16
which occupies a substantially rear half region thereof. The front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 has, on its upper surface, a
plurality of first reinforcing rigs 18 (here, fourteen ribs 18)
each of which is a thin planar plate and which are formed
integrally with the front portion 14 such that each first
reinforcing rib 18 continuously and straightly extends with a
constant height from a forward end of the front portion 14 toward a
backward end thereof over the entire length of the front portion 14
as measured in the frontward and backward direction. The first
reinforcing ribs 18 are opposed to and spaced apart from each other
by a suitable constant distance and located parallel to each other,
in the leftward and rightward direction.
[0076] At a leading end (front end) part 22 of the upper surface of
the front portion, 14, there are provided, in addition to
front-side parts of the respective first reinforcing ribs 18, a
plurality of second reinforcing ribs 20 (here, fifteen ribs 20)
each having the same thickness and height as those of the first
reinforcing ribs 18 and having a length shorter than that of the
first reinforcing ribs 18. The second reinforcing ribs 20 each of
which is a thin planar plate are formed integrally with the leading
end part 22 so as to continuously and straightly extend in the
frontward and backward direction such that each second reinforcing
rib 20 is interposed between adjacent two of the first reinforcing
ribs 18 that are opposed to each other. The second reinforcing ribs
20 are located parallel to the first reinforcing ribs 18 adjacent
thereto. Further, any adjacent two of the second reinforcing ribs
20 which sandwich a corresponding one of the first reinforcing ribs
18 therebetween are located parallel to each other.
[0077] The rear portion 16 of the plate base plate 12 has flat
upper and lower surfaces on which no reinforcing ribs 18, 20 are
formed. At one end of the rear portion 16 remote from the front
portion 14, a plurality of insertion holes 23 (here, five insertion
holes 23) into each of which a suitable fixing bolt is insertable
are formed through the thickness of the rear portion 16 such that
the insertion holes 23 are spaced apart from each other by a
suitable distance in the leftward and rightward direction.
[0078] In the exemplary first embodiment, the leg-sweep apparatus
10 is attached, at its rear portion 16, to a prescribed portion of
the vehicle so as to be positioned horizontally, as shown in FIG.
3. The front portion 14 of the base plate 12 on which the
reinforcing ribs 18, 20 are formed has a higher degree of rigidity
with respect to bending or flexural load, i.e., a higher degree of
deformation strength with respect to the impact load inputted
thereto in the frontward and backward direction in a state in which
the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is installed on the vehicle, than that
of the rear portion 16 on which no reinforcing ribs 18, 20 are
formed. In such a front portion 14, the leading end part 22 on
which are formed both of the front-side parts of the respective
first reinforcing ribs 18 and the second reinforcing ribs 20 is
constructed to have a higher degree of rigidity than the rest of
the front portion 14 other than the leading end part 22.
[0079] In the present leg-sweep apparatus 10, in particular, the
leading end part 22 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 on
which are formed the second reinforcing ribs 20 has a special
structure not found in conventional apparatus.
[0080] Namely, the leading end part 22 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 is in a bent form obtained by bending a flat
plate extending straightly in the frontward and backward direction,
at right angles in the frontward and backward direction at three
locations that are spaced apart from each other by a prescribed
distance in the frontward and backward direction over the entire
width thereof. In such a bent form, the leading end part 22 is
formed with first, second and third bends 26, 28, 30 in order as
seen from the front side, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0081] In the thus configured leading end part 22 of the base plate
12, a portion thereof located behind the first bend 26 is made as a
first horizontally extending portion 32 that extends horizontally
and straightly in the frontward and backward direction under
installation of the leg-sweep apparatus 10 on the vehicle. A
portion of the leading end part 22 between the first bend 26 and
the second bend 28 extends upright at right angles from the front
end of the first horizontally extending portion 32 and is made as a
first vertically extending portion 34 that extends straightly in
the vertical direction under installation of the leg-sweep
apparatus 10 on the vehicle. A portion of the leading end part 22
between the second bend 28 and the third bend 30 is bent at right
angles from the upper end of the first vertically extending portion
34 and is made as a second horizontally extending portion 36 that
horizontally and straightly extend in the frontward and backward
direction under installation of the leg-sweep apparatus 10 on the
vehicle. A portion of the leading end part 22 located forward of
the third bend 30 (i.e., the forward end of the leading end part
22) extends upright at right angles from the front end of the
second horizontally extending portion 36 and is made as a second
vertically extending portion 38 that extends straightly in the
vertical direction under installation of the leg-sweep apparatus 10
on the vehicle.
[0082] In other words, in the leading end part 22 of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12, the second vertically extending
portion 38 and the first vertically extending portion 34 are
respectively located on the front side and the back side of the
second horizontally extending portion 36 with the same 36
interposed therebetween, such that the former 38 is located at a
height position higher than that of the latter 34. The second
horizontally extending portion 36 and the first horizontally
extending portion 32 are respectively located on the front side and
the back side of the first vertically extending portion 34 with the
same 34 interposed therebetween, such that the former 36 is located
at a height position higher than that of the latter 32. These
extending portions 32-38 are connected integrally to each other at
the three bends 26-30.
[0083] Thus, in the leading end part 22 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12, each of the first and second horizontally
extending portions 32, 36 and each of the first and second
vertically extending portions 34, 38 are alternately disposed in
the frontward and backward direction so as to extend in a
staircase-like form, whereby the entirety of the leading end part
22 is made as a staircase-like portion 40 constituted by the first
and second horizontally extending portions 32, 36 and the first and
second vertically extending portions 34, 38.
[0084] In the thus formed staircase-like portion 40, the anterior
surface of the first vertically extending portion 34 and the
anterior surface of the second vertically extending portion 38 are
respectively made as load-input surfaces 42, 43 to which the impact
load generated by the collision of the leg portion of the
pedestrian is to be inputted. Each of the load-input surfaces 42,
43 extends straightly in the vertical direction and has a curved
surface configuration obtained by deflecting or warping a vertical
plane which is right-angled with respect to a horizontal plane that
includes the direction of input of the impact load generated by the
collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian, such that the
vertical plane is gradually curved backward from the middle portion
thereof as seen in the leftward and rightward direction toward the
opposite end portions thereof as seen in the same direction.
Namely, each of the load-input surfaces 42, 43 is constituted as a
convex curved surface which protrudes forward and which is formed
by a path that is obtained by moving a vertical line so as to draw
an arc.
[0085] Because the first and second vertically extending portions
34, 38 are disposed as mentioned above, the load-input surface 43
of the second vertically extending portion 38 is located above the
load-input surface 42 of the first vertically extending portion 34
at a location away from the load-input surface 42 in the forward
direction by a distance corresponding to the length of the second
horizontally extending portion 36 as measured in the frontward and
backward direction of the vehicle.
[0086] Here, the first and second vertically extending portions 34,
38 have the same height (i.e., the same dimension as measured in
the direction of extension thereof), whereby the first and second
vertically extending portions 34, 38 have substantially the same
area. Further, the lower end of the second vertically extending
portion 38, i.e., the third bend 30 as the front end of the second
horizontally extending portion 36 interposed between those two
vertically extending portions 34, 38 is located at the
substantially middle of the staircase-like portion 40 in the height
direction thereof.
[0087] The first reinforcing ribs 18 and the second reinforcing
ribs 20 provided on the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 are
formed integrally with the back surfaces of the load-input surfaces
42, 43 of the respective first and second vertically extending
portions 34, 38 and the upper surfaces of the respective first and
second horizontally extending portions 32, 36.
[0088] The thus constructed leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed
inside of a front bumper 44 installed on the front face of the
vehicle, as shown in FIG. 3, for example.
[0089] The front bumper 44 inside of which is disposed the
leg-sweep apparatus 10 has a bumper cover 50 including an upper
protruding portion 46 and a lower protruding portion 48 which
protrude from the front face of the vehicle in a state in which the
front bumper 44 is installed on the front face of the vehicle. Each
of the upper and lower protruding portions 46, 48 has, in vertical
cross section, a convex curved surface configuration protruding
forward. The bumper cover 50 of the front bumper 44 is fixed by
bolts or the like to a front grille 51, for instance, that
constitutes the front face portion of the vehicle. In FIG. 3, the
reference numerals 52, 54 denote a bonnet and a radiator,
respectively.
[0090] A known impact or shock-absorbing member 56 whose rigidity
is smaller than that of the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed
inside of the upper protruding portion 46 of the bumper cover 50
installed on the front face of the vehicle such that the
impact-absorbing member 56 is fixedly interposed between the upper
protruding portion 46 and a bumper reinforcement 58 as a rigid
member while the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed inside of the
lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50.
[0091] More specifically described, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is
disposed inside of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper
cover 50 such that the staircase-like portion 40 (the leading end
part 22) of the front portion of the base plate 12 is projected and
inserted into an interior of the lower protruding portion 48 while
the upper surface of the rear end of the rear portion 16 of the
base plate 12 is held in contact with the lower surface of a
radiator support 60 that is fixedly provided at a front portion of
the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, for
supporting a radiator 54.
[0092] In a state in which the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is thus
disposed, the first bend 26 which is the lower end of the first
vertically extending portion 34 and which is the front end of the
first horizontally extending portion 32 is located adjacent to a
lower portion of the inner surface of the lower protruding portion
48 while the third bend 30 which is the lower end of the second
vertically extending portion 38 and which is the front end of the
second horizontally extending portion 36 is located adjacent to a
middle portion of the inner surface of the lower protruding portion
48 in its height direction. Further, the load-input surfaces 42, 43
of the respective first and second vertically extending portions
34, 38 are respectively opposed to and located as close as possible
to the lower portion and the middle portion of the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 in the height direction
thereof.
[0093] Fixing bolts 61 are respectively inserted into the plurality
of insertion holes 23 formed at the rear end of the rear portion 16
of the base plate 12 and screwed into the radiator support 60,
whereby the rear portion 16 of the base plate 12 is fixed to the
radiator support 60.
[0094] Thus, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed in the lower
part of the front face of the vehicle such that the leg-sweep
apparatus 10 is horizontally located inside of the lower protruding
portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 so as to extend in the frontward
and backward direction of the vehicle, with the staircase-like
portion 40 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 projected
from the front face of the vehicle and with the rear portion 16
fixed to the radiator support 60.
[0095] In the exemplary embodiment, when a leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian comes into contact or collides with the bumper cover 50
of the front bumper 44 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
3, the upper protruding portion 46 and the lower protruding portion
48 of the bumper cover 50 are respectively brought into contact
with the vicinity of a knee 64 and the vicinity of a shank 66 of
the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian. In this instance, since the
rigidity of the impact-absorbing member 56 is made smaller than
that of the leg-sweep apparatus 10, the impact-absorbing member 56
is deformed more easily in a larger amount than the leg-sweep
apparatus 10. Accordingly, the bumper cover 50 is deformed such
that lower protruding portion 48 projects frontward of the vehicle
farther than the upper protruding portion 46, so that the
counterforce with respect to the impact load generated in the
leg-sweep apparatus 10 by the collision of the leg portion 62
against the bumper cover 50 acts on the vicinity of the shank 66 of
the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian via the lower protruding
portion 48 of the bumper cover 50. As a result, the vicinity of the
shank 66 of the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian is swept or
scooped up by the leg-sweep apparatus 10, thereby causing the
pedestrian to fall down or to be thrown toward the bonnet 52 of the
vehicle. Thus, it is possible to limit bending of the knee 64 of
the pedestrian in an unnatural or undesirable direction, thereby
minimizing occurrence of injuries to the knee 64 such as bone
fractures and effectively assuring protection and safety of the
pedestrian.
[0096] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to the exemplary
embodiment, in particular, the load-input surface 42 of the first
vertically extending portion 34 and the load-input surface 43 of
the second vertically extending portion 38 are located inside of
the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 so as to be
opposed to and located as close as possible to the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 in the frontward and backward
direction, thereby effectively reducing a clearance between the
inner surface of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper
cover 50 and the front portion 14 of the base plate 12.
[0097] Each of the load-input surfaces 42, 43 is disposed so as to
be right-angled to the horizontal plane that includes the input
direction of the impact load, whereby the impact load is inputted,
at right angles, to the load-input surfaces 42, 43 of the
respective first and second vertically extending portions 34, 38.
Therefore, in spite of the fact that the lower protruding portion
48 of the bumper cover 50 with which the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian is brought into collision has the convex curved surface
configuration in vertical cross section, the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 is advantageously prevented from being deformed
to be rolled up, for instance, by the impact load inputted to the
staircase-like portion 40 of the base plate 12. The arrangement is
effective to eliminate or restrain the delay of the rise of the
impact load in the load characteristics.
[0098] Further, the first horizontally extending portion 32 and the
second horizontally extending portion 36 are disposed inside of the
lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 so as to be
located at the mutually different height levels, so that the
portion of the base plate 12 that horizontally extends is divided
into segments, so that moment arm is advantageously shortened,
thereby effectively reducing rotation force generated in the base
plate 12 upon inputting of the impact load. Therefore, it is
possible to advantageously prevent the front portion 14 of the base
plate 12 from being deformed to be rolled up, resulting in a prompt
rise of the impact load in the load characteristics.
[0099] Moreover, because the first and second horizontally
extending portions 32, 36 disposed inside of the lower protruding
portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 so as to be located at the
mutually different height positions exhibit sufficient rigidity
with respect to the load inputted in the horizontal direction, the
counterforce with respect to the impact load can be sufficiently
and reliably exhibit in the leg-sweep apparatus 10 at the two
different height positions upon inputting of the impact load
accompanied by the collision of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian.
[0100] Each of the load-input surfaces 42, 43 to which the impact
load is inputted is configured to be right-angled to the horizontal
plane as mentioned above, thereby advantageously increasing the
contact area of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 with the
leg portion 62 of the pedestrian. Therefore, the impact load can be
more sufficiently and reliably inputted to the leg-sweep apparatus
10. Consequently, the counterforce with respect to the impact load
can be exhibited in the leg-sweep apparatus 10 with a larger
magnitude.
[0101] Accordingly, in the thus constructed leg-sweep apparatus 10,
the counterforce with respect to the impact load accompanied by the
collision of the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian against the
bumper cover 50 can instantaneously act on the vicinity of the
shank 66 of the leg portion 62 with a sufficiently large magnitude
even when the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed inside of the
lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 whose vertical
cross sectional shape is the convex curved configuration protruding
frontward. Therefore, the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian which
has collided with the bumper cover 50 can be promptly and reliably
swept, so that the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian can be
advantageously protected with high reliability.
[0102] Because the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to the
exemplary embodiment permits a prompt rise of the impact load in
the load characteristics, the impact load reaches a target value
quickly. Accordingly, the present leg-sweep apparatus 10
effectively assures a sufficient amount of the impact-absorbing
stroke accompanied by buckling deformation of the horizontally
extending portions after the impact load in the load
characteristics has reached the target value.
[0103] In the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as
described above, the second horizontally extending portion 36 is
located at the front end portion of the staircase-like portion 40
of the base plate 12 while the third bend 30 as the front end of
the second horizontally extending portion 36 is located at the
middle portion of the staircase-like portion 40 in the height
direction thereof. The thus constructed leg-sweep apparatus 10 is
disposed inside of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper
cover 50 with the third bend 30 located at the middle of the lower
protruding portion 48 in its height direction. According to the
arrangement, a point of initial contact of the leg-sweep apparatus
10 with the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian which is brought into
collision with the bumper cover 50 is the third bend 30 of the
staircase-like portion 40, so that the impact load can be inputted,
with high reliability in the horizontal direction, to the second
horizontally extending portion 36, whereby the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 is more effectively prevented from being deformed
to be rolled up. In consequence, the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian can be protected with high efficiency and high
reliability.
[0104] In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second
reinforcing ribs 18, 20 for reinforcing the rigidity of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 are formed integrally with the
posterior surfaces (the back surfaces) of the load-input surfaces
42, 43 of the respective first and second vertically extending
portions 34, 38 and the upper surfaces of the respective first and
second horizontally extending portions 32, 36. According to the
arrangement, the rigidity of the extending portions 32-38 can be
advantageously increased, permitting the leg-sweep apparatus 10 to
sufficiently exhibit the counterforce with respect to the impact
load. As a result, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 assures further
enhanced performance of protecting the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian. Moreover, by adjusting the number of the first and
second reinforcing ribs 18, 20 and the locations of the same 18,
20, it is possible to suitably change the rigidity of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12, whereby the amount of buckling
deformation of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12
accompanied by the input of the impact load can be easily tuned
depending upon the magnitude of the impact load to be inputted.
[0105] In the exemplary first embodiment, the forward end of the
staircase-like portion 40 of the base plate 12 is constituted by
the second vertically extending portion 38 that extends straightly
in the vertical direction. The forward end of the staircase-like
portion 40 may be constituted by a horizontally extending portion
that extends horizontally, as shown in the leg-sweep apparatus of
FIG. 4 constructed according to a second embodiment of the
invention. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as
used in the illustrated first embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 are used to
identify the corresponding components, and a detailed explanation
of which is dispensed with.
[0106] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to the exemplary
second embodiment, the leading end part 22 of the front portion 14
of the base plate 12 is in a bent form obtained by bending a flat
plate extending straightly in the frontward and backward direction,
at right angles in the frontward and backward direction at four
locations which are spaced apart from each other by a prescribed
distance in the frontward and backward direction, whereby the
leading end part 22 includes, in addition to the first through
third bends 26-30, a fourth bend 68 formed over the third bend 30.
A portion of the leading end part 22 of the base plate 12 located
on the front side of the fourth bend 68 (i.e., the forward end of
the leading end part 22) is bent at right angles from the upper end
of the second vertically extending portion 38 and is made as a
third horizontally extending portion 70 that horizontally and
straightly extends in the frontward and backward direction under
installation of the leg-sweep apparatus 10 on the vehicle.
[0107] Thus, in the leading end part 22 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12, each of the first, second and third horizontally
extending portions 32, 36, 70 and each of the first and second
vertically extending portions 34, 38 are alternately disposed in
the frontward and backward direction so as to extend in a
staircase-like form, whereby the entirety of the leading end part
22 is made as a staircase-like portion 40 constituted by the first,
second and third horizontally extending portions 32, 36, 70 and the
first and second vertically extending portions 34, 38.
[0108] The thus constructed leg-sweep apparatus 10 having the
staircase-like portion 40 in which the third horizontally extending
portion 70 is additionally provided is disposed at the lower part
of the front face of the vehicle so as to be located inside of the
lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50, such that the
rear portion 16 is fixed to the radiator support 60 by the fixing
bolts 61, with the staircase-like portion 40 (the leading end part
22) of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 inserted into the
interior of the lower protruding portion 48.
[0109] With the leg-sweep apparatus 10 installed on the vehicle as
described above, in particular, the third horizontally extending
portion 70 horizontally extends toward the inner surface of the
lower protruding portion 48 so as to minimize a clearance formed
between the front end face of the third horizontally extending
portion 70 of the staircase-like portion 40 inserted into the
interior of the lower protruding portion 48 and the inner surface
of the lower protruding portion 48.
[0110] Accordingly, when the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as
described above is disposed inside of the lower protruding portion
48 of the bumper cover 50 having, in the vertical cross section,
the convex curved surface configuration protruding forward, the
clearance formed between the lower protruding portion 48 and the
base plate 12 is advantageously made small, thereby effectively
assuring a prompt rise of the impact load in the load
characteristics, so that the leg portion of the pedestrian can be
protected with higher reliability.
[0111] In addition, the vertically extending portion 34 extends
straightly in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that the
impact load that is imposed upon frontal collision can be received
by a plane of the vertically extending portion 34, in the
horizontal direction. Accordingly, the vertically extending portion
34 can withstand a higher load, whereby a leg portion of the
pedestrian can surely be swept.
[0112] It is noted that the respective numbers, the respective
dimensions of extension, etc., of the horizontally extending
portions 32, 36, 70 and the vertically extending portions 34, 38
that constitute the staircase-like portion 40 are not limited to
those in the illustrated first and second embodiments, but may be
suitably determined depending upon the desired pedestrian
protection performance, more specifically, the magnitude of the
counterforce to be exhibited in the pedestrian protection
apparatus, the installation space for the pedestrian protection
apparatus and the like.
[0113] In the illustrated first and second embodiments, in the
leading end part 22 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12,
the portion thereof located on the back side of the first
vertically extending portion 34 is made as the first horizontally
extending portion 32, and the entirety of the leading end part 22
including the first horizontally extending portion 32 is formed as
the staircase-like portion 40. The staircase-like portion 40 may be
formed by the leading end part 22 that excludes the first
horizontally extending portion 32. Namely, a portion of the leading
end part 22 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 may be
formed as the staircase-like portion 40. In this case, the
staircase-like portion 40 in the illustrated first embodiment is
constituted by the first and second vertically extending portions
34, 38 and the second horizontally extending portion 36 while the
staircase-like portion 40 in the illustrated second embodiment is
constituted by the first and second vertically extending portions
34, 38 and the second and third horizontally extending portions 36,
70.
[0114] The installation structure of the pedestrian protection
apparatus (the leg-sweep apparatus 10) on the lower part of the
front face of the vehicle is not particularly limited. Namely, the
portion of the vehicle to which the rear portion of the plate
member (the base plate 12) is fixed and the manner of fixing may be
variously changed. Further, the pedestrian protection apparatus may
be disposed at the lower part of the vehicle separately from and
independently of the front bumper.
[0115] In the illustrated first and second embodiments, among the
at least one horizontally extending portion 32, 36 and the
plurality of vertically extending portions 34, 38, those which are
located nearer to the forward end of the leading end part 22 are
disposed at higher levels, whereby the staircase-like portion 40 is
formed in a rising or ascending configuration in the frontward
direction. On the contrary, among the at least one horizontally
extending portion 32, 36 and the plurality of vertically extending
portions 34, 38, those which are located nearer to the forward end
of the leading end part 22 may be disposed at lower levels, whereby
the staircase-like portion 40 is formed in a descending
configuration in the frontward direction, further in a
configuration ascending or descending in the backward direction
from a bent state in which the leading end part 22 is bent
backward.
[0116] Each of the anterior surfaces of the vertically extending
portions in the staircase-like portion may be constituted by a flat
plane orthogonal to the horizontal plane.
[0117] The configuration, the location, the number, etc., of the
reinforcing ribs provided on the plate member are not particularly
limited. The reinforcing ribs are not indispensable in the present
invention, and may be eliminated.
[0118] Referring next to the plan view of FIG. 5 and the vertical
cross sectional view of FIG. 6, the leg-sweep apparatus as the
pedestrian protection apparatus constructed according to a third
embodiment of the invention will be explained. In the third
embodiment, the same reference numerals as used in the illustrated
first and second embodiments are used to identify the corresponding
components, and a detailed explanation of which is not given.
[0119] As in the illustrated first and second embodiments, the base
plate 12 as the plate portion is formed of the synthetic resin
material such as polypropylene or ABS resin. Namely, the base plate
12 is constituted by a thin planar plate having a generally
rectangular shape. In the base plate 12, the dimension as measured
in a vertical direction of FIG. 5, i.e., the dimension as measured
in the vehicle width direction or the leftward and rightward
(lateral) direction of the vehicle under installation of the
leg-sweep apparatus 10 on the vehicle, is made smaller than the
vehicle width by a suitable amount, and the dimension as measured
in a transverse direction of FIG. 5, i.e., the dimension as
measured in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle, is
made sufficiently smaller the above-indicated direction as measured
in the leftward and rightward direction.
[0120] As in the illustrated first and second embodiments, the base
plate 12 includes the front portion 14 and the rear portion 16. At
the rear end of the rear portion 16, the plurality of insertion
holes 23 (here, five insertion holes 23) are formed through the
thickness thereof into which suitable fixing bolts or the like are
insertable, such that the insertion holes 23 are spaced apart from
each other by a prescribed distance in the leftward and rightward
direction.
[0121] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed according to the
exemplary third embodiment, the front portion 14 of the base plate
12 has a special structure not found in conventional apparatus.
[0122] Namely, at a leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12, there are provided three vertically extending
portions 122, 124, 126 which extend straightly in the vertical
direction over the entire width of the base plate 12 such that
those vertically extending portions 122, 124, 126 are opposed to
and spaced apart from each other by a constant distance in the
frontward and backward direction. In addition, there are provided
two horizontally extending portions 128, 130 which extend
straightly in the horizontal direction over the entire width of the
base plate 12 such that the horizontally extending portion 128 is
interposed between the two vertically extending portions 122, 124
while the horizontally extending portion 130 is interposed between
the two vertically extending portions 124,126.
[0123] More specifically described, the three vertically extending
portions 122, 124, 126 consist of: a front-side vertically
extending portion 122 which is located at the forward end of the
front portion 14 of the base plate 12; a first rear-side vertically
extending portion 124 which is located immediately on the back side
of the front-side vertically extending portion 122 so as to be
opposed thereto; and a second rear-side vertically extending
portion 126 which is located on the back side of the first
rear-side vertically extending portion 124 so as to be opposed
thereto at a substantially middle of the front portion 14 as seen
in the frontward and backward direction. Each of the front-side,
first rear-side and second rear-side vertically extending portions
122, 124, 126 has the same width as that of the base plate 12, and
the same height (the dimension in the vertical direction) with each
other. Each vertically extending portion 122, 124, 126 is
constituted by a thin flat plate having a curved configuration that
is deflected or warped so as to be convexed frontward in the
thickness direction thereof.
[0124] According to the arrangement, the front end surface of the
base plate 12, i.e., a load-input surface 131 to which the impact
load generated upon collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian
against the front face of the vehicle is inputted is constituted by
an anterior surface 132 of the front-side vertically extending
portion 122. The load-input surface 131 given by the anterior
surface 132 is made as a curved surface obtained by deflecting or
warping a vertical plane which is right-angled with respect to a
horizontal plane that includes the input direction of the impact
load generated accompanied by the collision of the leg portion of
the pedestrian against the front face of the vehicle, such that the
vertical plane is gradually curved backward from the middle portion
thereof as seen in the leftward and rightward direction toward the
opposite end portions thereof as seen in the same direction.
Namely, the load-input surface 131 is constituted as a convex
curved surface protruding frontward and formed by a path that is
obtained by moving a vertical line so as to draw an arc.
[0125] In the meantime, the horizontally extending portions 128,
130 consist of: a front-side horizontally extending portion 128
which is located between the lower ends of the respective
front-side and first rear-side vertically extending portion 122,
124; and a rear-side horizontally extending portion 130 which is
located between the upper ends of the respective first and second
rear-side vertically extending portions 124, 126. Each of the
front-side and rear-side horizontally extending portions 128, 130
is constituted by a thin flat plate which has a curved convex
configuration protruding frontward in the width direction and
corresponding to the anterior and posterior surfaces of the
respective vertically extending portions 122, 124, 126 and which
has a length (i.e., a dimension as measured in the leftward and
rightward direction) that is the same as the width of the base
plate 12 and a width (i.e., a dimension as measured in the
frontward and backward direction) that is the same as a distance
between any adjacent two of the vertically extending portions 122,
124, 126 which are opposed to each other.
[0126] The lower ends of the respective front-side vertically
extending portion 122 and first rear-side vertically extending
portions 124 are connected integrally to each other by the
front-side horizontally extending portion 128 while the upper ends
of the respective first and second rear-side vertically extending
portions 124, 126 are connected integrally to each other by the
rear-side horizontally extending portion 130. The second rear-side
vertically extending portion 126 is connected, at its lower end,
integrally to the rear portion 16 of the base plate 12 by a
connecting portion 135 which is given by a proximal end part 134 of
the front portion 14 of the base plate 12.
[0127] Thus, the front-side vertically extending portion 122, the
first rear-side vertically extending portion 124 and the second
rear-side vertically extending portion 126 are formed integrally on
the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 so as to extend
therefrom, such that adjacent two of the vertically extending
portions 122, 124, 126 that are opposed to each other are connected
integrally to each other by a corresponding one of the front-side
and rear-side horizontally extending portions 128, 130 that are
located at mutually different height levels in the frontward and
backward direction.
[0128] In other words, in the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to
the exemplary third embodiment, the leading end part 120 of the
front portion 14 of the base plate 12 is in a bent form obtained by
bending a flat plate extending straightly in the frontward and
backward direction, at right angles at its five locations which are
spaced apart from each other by a prescribed distance in the
frontward and rightward direction, so as to provide a first bend
136, a second bend 138, a third bend 140, a fourth bend 142 and a
fifth bend 144 in order as seen from the front side.
[0129] In the leading end part 120 described above, a portion
between the fifth bend 144 located at the rearmost of the leading
end part 120 and the fourth bend 142 located on the front side of
the fifth bend 144 is made as the second rear-side vertically
extending portion 126 that extends straightly in the vertically
upward direction from the front end of the connecting portion 135
as the proximal end part 134 of the front portion 14 of the base
plate 12. A portion of the leading end part 120 between the fourth
bend 142 and the third bend 140 which is located on the front side
of the fourth bend 142 is made as the rear-side horizontally
extending portion 130 that extends straightly in the horizontally
forward direction from the upper end of the second rear-side
vertically extending portion 126. A portion of the leading end part
120 between the third bend 140 and the second bend 138 which is
located on the front side of the third bend 140 is made as the
first rear-side vertically extending portion 124 that extends
straightly in the vertically downward direction from the front end
of the rear-side horizontally extending portion 130. A portion of
the leading end part 120 between the second bend 138 and the first
bend 136 which is located on the front side of the second bend 138
is made as the front-side horizontally extending portion 128 that
extends straightly in the horizontally frontward direction from the
lower end of the first rear-side vertically extending portion 124.
An entire portion located on the front side of the first bend 136
is made as the front-side vertically extending portion 122 that
extends straightly in the vertically upward direction from the
front end of the front-side horizontally extending portion 128.
[0130] Thus, the leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 is constituted by the front-side vertically
extending portion 122, the front-side horizontally extending
portion 128, the first rear-side vertically extending portion 124,
the rear-side horizontally extending portion 130 and the second
rear-side vertically extending portion 126, so as to extend in the
frontward and backward direction in a zigzag form in the upward and
downward direction with a U-shaped configuration in vertical cross
section.
[0131] In the arrangement described above, there is formed, at the
front of the leading end part 120 of the base plate 12, a
front-side U-shaped portion 146 that is constituted by the
front-side horizontally extending portion 128, and the front-side
vertically extending portion 122 and the first rear-side vertically
extending portion 126 which are respectively formed integrally to
the front end and the rear end of the front-side horizontally
extending portion 128 such that the vertically extending portions
122, 126 are opposed to each other and extend straightly in the
vertically upward direction. The front-side U-shaped portion 146
has a U-shaped configuration in vertical cross section that is open
upward and extends over the entire width of the base plate 12.
Further, there is formed, at the back of the leading end part 120,
a rear-side U-shaped portion 148 that is constituted by the
rear-side horizontally extending portion 130, and the first and
second rear-side vertically extending portions 124, 126 which are
respectively formed integrally to the front end and the rear end of
the rear-side horizontally extending portion 130 such that the
vertically extending portions 124, 126 are opposed to each other
and extend straightly in the vertically downward direction. The
rear-side U-shaped portion 148 has a U-shaped configuration in
vertical cross section that is open downward and extends over the
entire width of the base plate 12. That is, the front-side U-shaped
portion 146 and the rear-side U-shaped portion 148 are formed
integrally on the leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 so as to be located continuously in the frontward
and backward direction.
[0132] Accordingly, in the present leg-sweep apparatus 10, the
front-side U-shaped portion 146 and the rear-side U-shaped portion
148 provided on the leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 function as beads which reinforce the front
portion 14 (the leading end part 120), thereby increasing the
flexural or bending strength of the front portion 14. Thus, the
rigidity with respect to the impact load to be inputted upon
collision of the leg portion of the pedestrian against the front
face of the vehicle can be sufficiently obtained, as described
below.
[0133] Further, on the front portion 14 of the base plate 12, there
are formed, each as a reinforcing portion, first through third
reinforcing ribs 150, 152, 154 which are formed integrally to the
upper surface of the front-side horizontally extending portion 128,
the lower surface of the rear-side horizontally extending portion
130 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 135 which is
given by the proximal end part 134.
[0134] Namely, each of the first reinforcing ribs 150 is a flat
plate having the same height as the front-side vertically extending
portion 122 and the first and second rear-side vertically extending
portions 124, 126 and the thickness smaller than the thickness of
those vertically extending portions 122,124, 126. The first
reinforcing ribs 150 are opposed to and spaced apart from each
other in the leftward and rightward direction by a suitable
distance so as to be parallel to each other. The thus located first
reinforcing ribs 150 extend continuously and straightly in the
frontward and backward direction so as to be integral with the
posterior surface of the front-side vertically extending portion
122 and the anterior surface of the first rear-side vertically
extending portion 124.
[0135] Each of the second reinforcing ribs 152 is a flat plate
having a height, a thickness and a length (i.e., a dimension as
measured in the frontward and backward direction) which are the
same as those of the first reinforcing ribs 150. The number of the
second reinforcing ribs 152 is the same as that of the first
reinforcing ribs 150. The second reinforcing ribs 152 are located
between the first-side and second-side vertically extending
portions 124, 126 such that the second reinforcing ribs 152 are
opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the leftward and
rightward direction by the same distance as the distance between
any adjacent two of the first reinforcing ribs 150, so as to be
parallel to each other. The thus located second reinforcing ribs
152 extend continuously and straightly in the frontward and
backward direction so as to be integral with the posterior surface
of the first rear-side vertically extending portion 124 and the
anterior surface of the second rear-side vertically extending
portion 126. The location of each of the second reinforcing ribs
152 in the leftward and rightward direction corresponds to the
location of each of the first reinforcing ribs 150 in the same
direction.
[0136] While each of the third reinforcing ribs 154 has a height
and a thickness which are the same as those of the first and second
reinforcing ribs 150, 152, each third reinforcing rib 154 has a
length (i.e., a dimension as measured in the frontward and backward
direction) which is larger than that of the first and second
reinforcing ribs 150, 152. The number of the third reinforcing ribs
154 is approximately half the number of the first and second
reinforcing ribs 150, 152. The third reinforcing ribs 154 are
located on the back side of the second rear-side vertically
extending portion 126 such that the third reinforcing ribs 154 are
opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the leftward and
rightward direction by a distance twice the distance between any
adjacent two of the first reinforcing ribs 150, so as to be
parallel to each other. The thus located third reinforcing ribs 154
are integral with the posterior surface of the second rear-side
vertically extending portion 126 and extend continuously and
straightly in the frontward and backward direction from the
posterior surface of the second rear-side vertically extending
portion 26 to a boundary between the front portion 14 and the rear
portion 16.
[0137] As explained above, the first and second reinforcing ribs
150, 152 are formed, at close intervals, integrally with the
leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12
on which are formed the front-side U-shaped portion 146 and the
rear-side U-shaped portion 148, thereby sufficiently increasing the
flexural or bending strength of the leading end part 120, further,
the rigidity of the same 120 with respect to the impact load.
Moreover, the third reinforcing ribs 154 are formed integrally with
the proximal end portion 134 (the connecting portion 135) of the
front portion 14, whereby the proximal end part 134 advantageously
has increased flexural or bending strength, further, increased
rigidity with respect to the impact load, as compared with a case
in which the rear portion 16 of the base plate 12 has no
reinforcing ribs 154.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 7, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is installed
inside of the front bumper 44 which has a structure similar to that
explained above with respect to the illustrated first exemplary
embodiment.
[0139] As in the illustrated first embodiment, the impact-absorbing
member 56 whose rigidity is smaller than that of the leg-sweep
apparatus 10 is fixed, inside of the upper protruding portion 46 of
the bumper cover 50, to the bumper reinforcement 58 as the rigid
member.
[0140] The leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed inside of the front
bumper 44 as described below: The front-side and rear-side U-shaped
portions 146, 148 formed at the leading end part 120 of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 are projected from the front face
of the vehicle, and the front of the front-side U-shaped portion
146 is inserted into the interior of the lower protruding portion
48 while the upper surface of the rear end of the rear portion 16
of the base plate 12 is held in contact with the lower surface of
the radiator support 60 that is fixedly provided at the front
portion of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width
direction, for supporting the radiator 54. The fixing bolts 61 are
respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 23
formed at the rear end of the rear portion 16 of the base plate 12
and screwed into the radiator support 60, whereby the rear portion
16 of the base plate 12 is fixed to the radiator support 60.
[0141] Thus, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed in the lower
part of the front face of the vehicle so as to extend horizontally
in the frontward and backward direction and is fixedly positioned
such that the load-input surface 131 of the front-side vertically
extending portion 122 in the front-side U-shaped portion 146 of the
base plate 12 is opposed to the inner surface of the lower
protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 and such that the
first bend 36 which is the lower end of the front-side vertically
extending portion 122 and which is the front end of the front-side
horizontally extending portion 128 is located adjacent to the inner
surface of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover
50.
[0142] As described above with respect to the illustrated first
embodiment, in the exemplary third embodiment, when the leg portion
62 of the pedestrian comes into contact or collides with the bumper
cover 50 of the front bumper 44 as shown in FIG. 8, the upper
protruding portion 46 and the lower protruding portion 48 of the
bumper cover 50 are respectively brought into contact with the
vicinity of the knee 64 and the vicinity of the shank 66 of the leg
portion 62 of the pedestrian. In this instance, since the rigidity
of the impact-absorbing member 56 is made smaller than that of the
leg-sweep apparatus 10, the impact-absorbing member 56 is deformed
more easily in a larger amount than the leg-sweep apparatus 10.
Accordingly, the bumper cover 50 is deformed such that lower
protruding portion 48 projects frontward of the vehicle farther
than the upper protruding portion 46, so that the counterforce with
respect to the impact load generated in the leg-sweep apparatus 10
by the collision of the leg portion 62 against the bumper cover 50
acts on the vicinity of the shank 66 of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian via the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover
50. As a result, the vicinity of the shank 66 of the leg portion 62
of the pedestrian is swept or scooped up by the leg-sweep apparatus
10, thereby causing the pedestrian to fall down or to be thrown
toward the bonnet 52 of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to limit
bending of the knee 64 of the pedestrian in an unnatural or
undesirable direction, thereby minimizing occurrence of injuries to
the knee 64 such as bone fractures and effectively assuring
protection and safety of the pedestrian.
[0143] In particular, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as
described above has, at the leading end part 120 of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12, the front-side U-shaped portion
146 and the rear-side U-shaped portion 148 each functioning as a
bead for reinforcing the leading end part 120. In addition, the
first through third reinforcing ribs 150-154 are formed integrally
with the leading end part 120 and the proximal end part 134,
whereby the rigidity of the front portion 14 as a whole with
respect to the impact load is sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the
front portion 14 of the base plate 12 is effectively prevented from
being easily deformed or deflected due to the impact load inputted
thereto.
[0144] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as described
above, the load-input surface 131 of the front-side vertically
extending portion 122 which is located so as to be opposed to the
inner surface of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper
cover 50 is orthogonal to the horizontal plane that includes the
input direction of the impact load, whereby the impact load is
inputted perpendicularly to the load-input surface 131.
Accordingly, the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 can be
advantageously prevented from being easily deformed or
deflected.
[0145] Further, the front-side and rear-side horizontally extending
portions 128, 130 of the respective front-side and rear-side
U-shaped portions 146, 148 are located at mutually different height
levels. Accordingly, the portion of the base plate 12 that
horizontally extends is divided into: a continuous portion between
the proximal end portion 134 of the front portion 14 and the rear
portion 16; the front-side horizontally extending portion 128; and
the rear-side horizontally extending portion 130. Accordingly, the
moment arm can be advantageously shortened, and the rotation force
generated in the base plate 12 upon inputting of the impact load is
effectively weakened, thereby assuring the effect of preventing
easy deformation or deflection of the front portion 14 of the base
plate 12.
[0146] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as described above
according to the third exemplary embodiment, the front-side
U-shaped portion 146 and the rear-side U-shaped portion 148 are
formed continuously, so that the leading end part 120 of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 has, as a whole, a zigzag
configuration shown in FIG. 6 extending in the frontward and
backward direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, due to the
impact load inputted to the front-side vertically extending portion
122 of the front-side U-shaped portion 146, the front-side and
rear-side horizontally extending portions 128, 130 of the
respective front-side and rear-side U-shaped portions 146, 148 are
displaced backward while the impact load is gradually transmitted
from the front portion 14 toward the rear portion 16 of the base
plate 12. In this instance, the first and second rear-side
vertically extending portions 124, 126 of the respective front-side
and rear-side U-shaped portion 146, 148 are deformed over a wide
range in the width direction of the base plate 12, such that those
vertically extending portions 124, 126 incline frontward or
backward by a suitable angle with respect to the vertical
direction. Therefore, the impact load is effectively transmitted in
the width direction of the base plate 12. Consequently, the impact
load is advantageously distributed in the front portion 14 of the
base plate 12, whereby the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 is
effectively prevented from easily deformed or deflected upon
inputting of the impact load thereto.
[0147] As explained above, in the present embodiment, the easy
deformation or deflection of the front portion 14 of the base plate
12 upon inputting of the impact load thereto can be prevented,
thereby obviating a delay of rise of the impact load in the load
characteristics due to deformation or deflection of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12.
[0148] Accordingly, the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 permits a
prompt rise of the impact load in the load characteristics, whereby
sufficient counterforce with respect to the impact load can be
instantaneously and adequately exhibited. As a result, the leg
portion 62 of the pedestrian which has collided with the front
bumper 44 can be instantaneously and reliably swept, assuring a
higher level of protection of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian.
[0149] Since the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 permits a prompt
rise of the impact load in the load characteristics, the impact
load can reach a target value more quickly. Consequently, the
present leg-sweep apparatus 10 effectively assures a sufficient
amount of the impact-absorbing stroke accompanied by buckling
deformation off the horizontally extending portions 128, 130, the
connecting portion 135, etc., after the impact load in the load
characteristics has reached the target value.
[0150] In the exemplary third embodiment, the first through third
reinforcing ribs 150-154 are formed integrally with the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 for increasing the rigidity of the
same 14. As compared with an arrangement in which the rigidity of
the front portion 14 is increased by securing, to the base plate
12, members separate from the base plate 12, for instance, the
present arrangement is effective to improve the manufacturing
efficiency and lower the manufacturing cost of the base plate 12,
and accordingly the leg-sweep apparatus 10 as a whole. Moreover, by
adjusting the number, the location, etc., of each of the first
through third reinforcing ribs 150-154, the rigidity of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 can be suitably changed, thereby
making it possible to easily tune, depending upon the magnitude of
the impact load to be inputted, the amount of buckling deformation
of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 accompanied by the
input of the impact load, and accordingly the amount of absorption
of impact energy based on the buckling deformation of the front
portion 14.
[0151] In the illustrated third embodiment, the leading end part
120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 is provided with
the two U-shaped portions 146, 148 which are continuously formed
thereon. The leading end part 120 may have only one U-shaped
portion 84, as shown in the leg-sweep apparatus of FIG. 9 according
to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In the fourth embodiment,
the same reference numerals as used in the embodiments illustrated
above are used to identify the corresponding components, and a
detailed explanation of which is omitted.
[0152] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to the fourth
embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a front-side vertically extending
portion 86 and a rear-side vertically extending portion 88 which
straightly extend in the vertical direction over the entire width
of the base plate 12 are integrally formed on the leading end part
120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12, such that the
vertically extending portions 86, 88 are opposed to and spaced
apart from each other by a constant distance in the frontward and
backward direction. Those front-side and rear-side vertically
extending portions 86, 88 have a construction similar to that of
the front-side and rear-side vertically extending portions (22),
(24) in the illustrated third embodiment.
[0153] According to the arrangement described above, the anterior
surface 90 of the front-side vertically extending portion 86 is
made as a load-input surface 131 constituted by a curved surface
obtained by deflecting or warping a vertical plane which is
right-angled with respect to the horizontal plane that includes the
direction of input of the impact load generated upon collision of
the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian against the front bumper 44,
such that the vertical plane is gradually curved backward from the
middle portion thereof as seen in the leftward and rightward
direction toward the opposite end portions thereof as seen in the
same direction. Namely, the load-input surface 131 is constituted
by a convex curved surface which protrudes forward and which is
formed by a path that is obtained by moving a vertical line so as
to draw an arc.
[0154] Further, between the upper ends of the respective front-side
and rear-side vertically extending portions 86, 88, there is
located a horizontally extending portion 94 which straightly
extends in the horizontal direction over the entire width of the
base plate 12 in the frontward and backward direction, whereby the
upper ends of the respective front-side and rear-side vertically
extending portions 86, 88 are connected integrally to each other by
the horizontally extending portion 94. A connecting portion 135
constituted by a proximal end part 134 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 is connected integrally to the lower end of the
posterior surface of the rear-side vertically extending portion 88,
which posterior surface is opposite to the anterior surface thereof
to which the horizontally extending portion 94 is connected.
[0155] In other words, in the exemplary fourth embodiment, the
horizontally extending portion 94 is located at the leading end
part 120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12, and the
front-side vertically extending portion 86 is formed integrally
with the front end of the horizontally extending portion 94 so as
to straightly extend therefrom in the vertically downward
direction. Further, the rear-side vertically extending portion 88
is formed integrally with rear end of the horizontally extending
portion 94 such that the rear-side vertically extending portion 88
is opposed to and spaced apart from the front-side vertically
extending portion 86 with a distance corresponding to the length of
extension of the horizontally extending portion 94 interposed
therebetween, so as to extend straightly in the vertically downward
direction. The connecting portion 135 is connected, at its front
end, integrally to the lower end of the posterior surface of the
rear-side vertically extending portion 88.
[0156] Thus, at the leading end part 120 of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12, there is formed a U-shaped portion 84
constituted by the front-side vertically extending portion 86, the
horizontally extending portion 94 and the rear-side vertically
extending portion 88 and extending over the entire width of the
base plate 12 with a U-shaped configuration that is open downward
in vertical cross section.
[0157] In the thus constructed leg-sweep apparatus 10, the U-shaped
portion 84 functions as a bead for reinforcing the leading end part
120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12, thereby
sufficiently assuring the flexural or bending strength of the
leading end part 120 and accordingly the rigidity of the same 120
with respect to the impact load.
[0158] In addition, the horizontally extending portion 94 and the
connecting portion 135 are located at mutually different height
levels, so that the moment arm can be advantageously shortened, and
the rotation force generated in the plate member upon inputting of
the impact load is effectively weakened, thereby assuring the
effect of preventing the leading end part of the plate member from
being deformed to be rolled up.
[0159] On the lower surface of the horizontally extending portion
94 which partially constitutes the U-shaped portion 84, there are
provided a plurality of front-side reinforcing ribs 96 that are
similar in construction to the first and second reinforcing ribs
(150), (152) described in the illustrated third embodiment. The
reinforcing ribs 96 are thin flat plates and are spaced apart from
each other by a suitable distance in the leftward and rightward
direction, so as to be integral with the posterior surface of the
front-side vertically extending portion 86 and the anterior surface
of the rear-side vertically extending portion 88. Moreover, on the
upper surface of the connecting portion 135 constituted by the
proximal end part 134 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12,
there are provided a plurality of rear-side reinforcing ribs 98
that are similar in construction to the third reinforcing ribs
(154) described in the illustrated third embodiment. The rear-side
reinforcing ribs 98 are thin flat plates and are spaced apart from
each other by a suitable distance in the leftward and rightward
direction, so as to be integral with the posterior surface of the
rear-side vertically extending portion 88. According to the
arrangement, the rigidity of the front portion 14 of the base plate
12 with respect to the impact load is more efficiently
enhanced.
[0160] As in the illustrated third embodiment, the thus constructed
leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed at the lower part of the vehicle
with the front of the U-shaped portion 84 inserted and projected
into the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 of the
front bumper 44.
[0161] Accordingly, as the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 assures
sufficient rigidity with respect to the impact load, so that the
front portion 14 of the base plate 12 is effectively prevented from
being easily deflected upon collision of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian against the front bumper 44.
[0162] Further, when the impact load is inputted, the horizontally
extending portion 94 of the U-shaped portion 84 is displaced
backyard while the front-side and rear-side vertically extending
portions 86, 88 are deformed over a wide range in the width
direction of the base plate 12 so as to be inclined frontward or
backward by a suitable angle with respect to the vertical
direction. Accordingly, the impact load is effectively transmitted
in both of the length direction and the width direction of the base
plate and advantageously distributed in the front portion 14 of the
base plate 12, preventing easy deflection of the front portion 14
of the base plate 12 due to the impact load inputted thereto.
[0163] Therefore, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as
described above permits a prompt rise of the impact load in the
load characteristics, thereby exhibiting sufficient counterforce
with respect to the impact load at earlier timing. Consequently,
the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian collided with the front bumper
44 can be promptly and reliably swept, so that the performance of
protecting the leg portion of the pedestrian can be effectively
enhanced.
[0164] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as described
above, only one U-shaped portion 84 is formed at the front portion
14 of the base plate 12, simplifying the structure of the base
plate 12, and accordingly the structure of the leg-sweep apparatus
10 as a whole.
[0165] Referring next to FIG. 10, there will be explained a
modified structure of the leg-sweep apparatus according to a fifth
embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary fifth embodiment,
while only one U-shaped portion 84 is formed at the leading end
part 120 of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 as in the
illustrated fourth embodiment, the front-side vertically extending
portion 86 of the U-shaped portion 84 has a special structure.
Further, in the exemplary fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the
U-shaped portion 84 has a U-shaped configuration that is open
upward. In the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals as
used in the illustrated embodiments are used to identify the
corresponding components, and a detailed explanation of which is
dispensed with.
[0166] In the leg-sweep apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 10, the
front-side vertically extending portion 86 is bent at right angles
at two locations in its height direction, so as to extend frontward
in a staircase-like form.
[0167] In other words, front-side vertically extending portion 86
is divided into an upper front-side vertically extending portion
100 and a lower front-side vertically extending portion 102 which
have mutually the same height dimension. The upper front-side
vertically extending portion 100 and the lower front-side
vertically extending portion 102 are positioned at mutually
different height levels such that the former 100 is located
frontward of the latter 102. These upper and lower front-side
vertically extending portions 100, 102 are connected integrally to
each other by an intermediate horizontally extending portion 104
that extends horizontally in the frontward and backward direction
between the lower end of the upper front-side vertically extending
portion 100 and the upper end of the lower front-side vertically
extending portion 102.
[0168] According to the arrangement, the front of the U-shaped
portion 84 provided at the leading end part 120 of the front
portion 14 of the base plate 12 is constituted as a staircase-like
portion, and an anterior surface 106 of the upper front-side
vertically extending portion 100 of the staircase-like portion is
made as the load-input surface 131 that straightly extends in the
vertical direction. A horizontal projection 108 projecting in the
horizontal direction by a prescribed amount is formed integrally
with the load-input surface 131. The horizontal projection 108 is a
rib formed of a thin, flat plate having the same thickness as that
of the upper and lower front-side vertically extending portions
100, 102.
[0169] In the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as
described above, the entirety of the front portion 14 of the base
plate 12 except for the leading end part 120 on which is formed the
U-shaped portion 84 is made as the proximal end part 134. The
proximal end part 134 is made as the connecting portion 135 which
connects the rear-side vertically extending portion 88 of the
U-shaped portion 84 and the rear portion 16 of the base plate 12
integrally to each other. The connecting portion 135 consists of: a
rear part which extends horizontally and frontward from the rear
portion 16 of the base plate; an intermediate part which extends
frontward and obliquely upward from the front end of the rear part;
and a front part which extends horizontally and frontward from the
front of the intermediate part and which is connected integrally to
a middle portion of the posterior surface of the rear-side
vertically extending portion 88 of the U-shaped portion 84 in the
height direction thereof.
[0170] On the thus constructed front portion 14 of the base plate
12, there are formed a plurality of front-side reinforcing ribs 96
and a plurality of rear-side reinforcing ribs 98 each of which is a
thin flat plate, as in the illustrated fourth embodiment. Here, the
front-side reinforcing ribs 96 consist of: a plurality of upper
front-side reinforcing ribs 96a which are formed on the upper
surface of the horizontally extending portion 94 of the U-shaped
portion 84 and which are integral with the posterior surfaces of
the respective upper and lower front-side vertically extending
portions 100, 102, the upper surface of the intermediate
horizontally extending portion 104 and the anterior surface of the
rear-side vertically extending portion 88; and a plurality of lower
front-side reinforcing ribs 96b which are formed on the lower
surface of the intermediate horizontally extending portion 104 of
the U-shaped portion 84 and the lower surface of the horizontal
projection 108 and which are integral with the anterior surface of
the lower front-side vertically extending portion 102. Each of the
lower front-side reinforcing ribs 96b has a triangular shape. The
rear-side reinforcing ribs 98 consist of: a plurality of upper
rear-side reinforcing ribs 98a which are formed on the upper
surface of the connecting portion 135 and which are integral with
the upper part of the posterior surface of the rear-side vertically
extending portion 88; and a plurality of lower rear-side
reinforcing ribs 98b which are formed on the lower surfaces of the
intermediate and front parts of the connecting portion 135 and
which are integral with the lower part of the posterior surface of
the rear-side vertically extending portion 88.
[0171] The leg-sweep apparatus 10 constructed as described above is
disposed inside of the bumper cover 50 such that the upper
front-side vertically extending portion 100, the lower front-side
vertically extending portion and the intermediate horizontally
extending portion 104 which cooperate with each other to form the
staircase-like portion in the front of the U-shaped portion 84 are
inserted into the interior of the lower protruding portion 48 of
the bumper cover 50 of the front bumper 44. In a state in which the
leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed as described above, the
load-input surface 131 of the upper front-side vertically extending
portion 100 is located so as to be opposed to the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 having the convex curved surface
protruding forward, via a slight clearance therebetween with the
horizontal projection 108 interposed between the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 and the
load-input surface 131. Further, the upper and lower front-side
vertically extending portions 100, 102 have the mutually same
height dimension, whereby the intermediate horizontally extending
portion 104 of the staircase-like portion which is inserted into
the interior of the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover
50 is located at a middle of the lower protruding portion 48 in its
height direction. Thus, the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is fixedly
positioned in a manner similar to that described in the illustrated
embodiments.
[0172] As mentioned above, in the leg-sweep apparatus 10 according
to the exemplary fifth embodiment, the U-shaped portion 84 and the
reinforcing ribs 96, 98 are provided on the front portion 14 of the
base plate 12, whereby the front portion 14 has sufficient rigidity
with respect to the impact load while, at the same time, the impact
load can be effectively transmitted in the length direction and the
width direction of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12.
Therefore, the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 can be
effectively prevented from being easily deformed or deflected by
the impact load upon collision of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian collided with the bumper cover 50.
[0173] In the state in which the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is disposed
inside of the bumper cover 50 of the front bumper 44 as described
above, the intermediate horizontally extending portion 104 of the
staircase-like portion which is inserted into the interior of the
lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 is located at a
middle of the lower protruding portion 48 in its height direction,
so that a point of initial contact of the leg-sweep apparatus 10
with the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian is the front end of the
intermediate horizontally extending portion 104 of the
staircase-like portion provided on the front portion 14 of the base
plate 12. Accordingly, the impact load is inputted, with high
reliability, in the horizontal direction to the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12, effectively avoiding easy deflection of the
front portion 14.
[0174] Therefore, the present leg-sweep apparatus 10 advantageously
avoids a delay of the rise of the impact load in the load
characteristics due to the deflection of the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 by the impact load inputted thereto.
[0175] Further, in the state in which the leg-sweep apparatus 10 is
disposed inside of the bumper cover 50 of the front bumper 44 as
described above, the load-input surface 131 of the upper front-side
vertically extending portion 100 is opposed to the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 with a
slight clearance therebetween. In addition, the horizontal
projection 108 formed integrally on the load-input surface 131 is
located between the load-input surface 131 and the inner surface of
the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50. According
to the arrangement, even where the inner surface of the lower
protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover 50 has the convex curved
surface configuration that protrudes frontward, it is possible to
effectively eliminate or restrain the delay of the rise of the
impact load in the load characteristics due to the existence of the
clearance between the inner surface of the lower protruding portion
48 and the front portion 14 of the base plate 12.
[0176] In the present leg-sweep apparatus 10, therefore, sufficient
counterforce with respect to the impact load can be exhibited at
earlier timing, so that the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian
collided with the front bumper 44 can be quickly and reliably
swept, assuring more enhanced performance of protecting the leg
portion of the pedestrian.
[0177] As the horizontally extending portions 128, 130 and the
rear-side U-shaped portions 146, 148 are located at mutually
different height levels, the moment arm can be advantageously
shortened, and the rotation force generated in the plate member
upon inputting of the impact load is effectively weakened, thereby
assuring the effect of preventing the leading end part of the plate
member from being deformed to be rolled up.
[0178] The leg-sweep apparatus 10 according to the illustrated
third through fifth embodiments may be otherwise embodied.
[0179] For instance, the number of the rear-side vertically
extending portions 124, 126, 88 provided at the front portion 14 of
the base plate 12 as the plate member on the back side of the
front-side vertically extending portion 122, 86 is not limited to
those in the illustrated third through fifth embodiments, but may
be three or more.
[0180] The thickness and the height of the front-side vertically
extending portion 122, 86 may be made different from those of the
rear-side vertically extending portion 124, 126, 88.
[0181] Further, the number of the horizontally extending portion
each connecting adjacent two of the rear-side vertically extending
portions 124, 126, 88 that are opposed to each other may be
suitably increased or decreased depending upon the number of the
rear-side vertically extending portions.
[0182] The number of the rear-side vertically extending portions
124, 126, 88 and the number of the horizontally extending portions
128, 130, 94 may be suitably determined depending upon the degree
of rigidity of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 with
respect to the impact load, the installation space for the
pedestrian protection apparatus, etc.
[0183] Further, a connection point of the connecting portion to the
rear-side vertically extending portion may be suitably determined
among any point of the posterior surface of the rear-side
vertically extending portion which is located at a different height
level from a connection point of the anterior surface of the
rear-side vertically extending portion to the horizontally
extending portion, depending upon the installation space for the
pedestrian protection apparatus, etc.
[0184] Where the plurality of horizontally extending portions are
respectively located between the front-side vertically extending
portion and the rear-side vertically extending portion which is
opposed thereto and between adjacent two of the vertically
extending portions which are opposed to each other, for connecting
the mutually opposing vertically extending portions to each other,
namely, where there are provided a plurality of U-shaped portions,
connection points of each horizontally extending portion with
respect to each vertically extending portion are not limited to the
mutually corresponding ends or edges of each vertically extending
portion as in the illustrated embodiments, but may be mutually
corresponding end portions of each vertically extending portion
nearer to the middle than the end or edges, as long as adjacent two
of the plurality of horizontally extending portions are located at
mutually different height levels.
[0185] Where only one U-shaped portion is provided, namely, where
the front-side and rear-side vertically extending portions are
respectively formed integrally with the front end and rear end of
one horizontally extending portion, the front-side and rear-side
vertically extending portions may not be formed integrally with the
respective front and rear ends or edges of the horizontally
extending portion as in the illustrated embodiments, but at least
one of the front-side and rear-side vertically extending portions
may be provided at an end portion of the horizontally extending
portion nearer to the middle than the front end or the rear end
thereof, for instance. Further, where the front-side and rear-side
vertically extending portions are respectively provided at the
front and rear ends of the horizontally extending portion, at least
one of the front-side and rear-side vertically extending portions
may be made integral, at an end portion thereof nearer to the
middle than the vertically opposite ends thereof, with the
corresponding one of the front and rear ends of the horizontally
extending portion.
[0186] In other words, where one or plurality of U-shaped
portion(s) is/are formed on the leading end part of the front
portion of the plate member (the base plate), each U-shaped portion
may not be constituted by combining the entirety of each vertically
extending portion and the entirety of each horizontally extending
portion, but may be constituted by combining a part of each
vertically extending portion and a part of each horizontally
extending portion.
[0187] The installation structure of the pedestrian protection
apparatus on the lower part of the front face of the vehicle is not
particularly limited to that in the illustrated embodiments.
Namely, the portion of the vehicle to which the rear portion of the
plate member is fixed and the manner of fixing may be variously
changed. Further, the pedestrian protection apparatus may be
disposed at the lower part of the vehicle separately from and
independently of the front bumper.
[0188] The anterior surface of the front-side vertically extending
portion functioning as the load-input surface 131 may be
constituted by a flat plane that is orthogonal to the horizontal
plane.
[0189] Where the front-side vertically extending portion is bent at
substantially right angles at a plurality of locations in the
middle portion thereof in the height direction so as to have the
staircase-like form extending in the vertical direction, the
front-side vertically extending portion may be bent at right angles
at three or more locations in its height direction. The bending
angle may be somewhat larger or smaller than 90.degree..
[0190] The staircase-like portion formed by bending the front-side
vertically extending portion as described above may be in a
descending configuration in the forward direction, or in a
configuration ascending or descending configuration in the backward
direction from a bent state in which the front-side vertically
extending portion is bent backward, in addition to the illustrated
ascending configuration in the forward direction.
[0191] In the illustrated third through fifth embodiments, the
reinforcing ribs 150, 152, 154, 96, 98 are formed as reinforcing
portions on the front portion 14 of the base plate 12. The
structure of the reinforcing portions is not particularly limited,
provided that the reinforcing portions are capable of preventing
easy deformation of the front portion 14 of the base plate 12 due
to the impact load inputted thereto accompanied by the collision of
the leg portion of the pedestrian against the front face of the
vehicle. Where the reinforcing portions are constituted by the
illustrated reinforcing ribs 150, 152, 154, 96, 98, the
configuration, the location, the number, etc., of the reinforcing
ribs may be suitably changed. Further, the reinforcing portions are
not indispensable in the present invention, and may be
eliminated.
[0192] In the illustrated first through fifth embodiments, the
counterforce with respect to the impact load generated in the
leg-sweep apparatus 10 by the collision of the leg portion 62 of
the pedestrian against the bumper cover 50 is arranged to act on
the vicinity of the shank 66 of the leg portion 62 of the
pedestrian via the lower protruding portion 48 of the bumper cover
50. The portion of the leg portion 62 of the pedestrian on which
the counterforce with respect to the impact load acts may be
suitably changed depending upon the installation position of the
leg-sweep apparatus 10.
[0193] It is needless to mention that the principle of the
invention is applicable to any pedestrian protection apparatus
installed in various forms on the front face of vehicles other than
the automotive vehicles.
[0194] It is to be understood that the present invention may be
embodied with various other changes and modifications which may
occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention defined in the following
claims.
EXAMPLES
[0195] To further clarify the present invention, there will be
explained examples of the invention. It is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the details of the examples.
[0196] Initially, there was prepared, by carrying out injection
molding using polypropylene, a leg-sweep apparatus (10) shown in
FIG. 9 of the present invention. In the leg-sweep apparatus, a
front portion (14) of a flat base plate (12) is provided with a
U-shaped portion (84) consisting of a front-side vertically
extending portion (86), a rear-side vertically extending portion
(88) and a horizontally extending portion (94). Further, a
plurality of reinforcing ribs (96, 98) are formed integrally on the
front portion (14), and an anterior surface of the front-side
vertically extending portion (86) is made as a load-input surface
(131). The thus prepared leg-sweep apparatus is made as the
invention example. In the leg-sweep apparatus of the invention
example, the maximum length of the base plate in the frontward and
backward direction is 300 mm and the width of the base plate is
1200 mm. The height of the front-side and rear-side vertically
extending portions is 25 mm, and the length of the horizontally
extending portion is 15 mm. The thickness of the base plate and
each extending portion is 3 mm. Each reinforcing rib has a height
of 25 mm and a thickness of 1.5-3 mm.
[0197] For comparison, apart from the leg-sweep apparatus of the
invention example, there is prepared, by carrying out injection
molding using polypropylene, a leg-sweep apparatus having a known
structure. In the leg-sweep apparatus, a plurality of first ribs
are formed integrally on a front portion of a flat base plate such
that the first ribs extend in the length direction of the base
plate and such that the first ribs are opposed to and spaced apart
from each other in the width of the base plate by a suitable
distance. Further, a second rib extending in the width direction is
formed integrally on the front portion so as to intersect the
plurality of first ribs. In the thus formed leg-sweep apparatus,
the forward end face of the base plate is made as a load-input
surface. This leg-sweep apparatus is made as a comparative example.
The maximum length of the base plate as measured in the frontward
and backward direction and the width of the base plate are made
equal to those in the leg-sweep apparatus of the invention example.
The height and the thickness of each of the first ribs and the
second rib are made equal to those of the reinforcing ribs in the
leg-sweep apparatus of the invention example.
[0198] The thus prepared leg-sweep apparatus of the invention
example and the leg-sweep apparatus of the comparative example were
installed on a fixedly positioned base. Thereafter, an impactor
having a semi-cylindrical shape and a weight of 21.3 kg was brought
into collision with each of the load-input surfaces of the two
leg-sweep apparatus according to the invention example and the
comparative example., at a rate of 5.3 m/s. Thus, there were
conducted pedestrian collision tests on the supposition of a
collision of a pedestrian with each leg-sweep apparatus, whereby
there were examined, for each apparatus, the portion of the
apparatus deformed by the impact load inputted upon collision of
the pedestrian and the amount of deformation of the portion,
according to CAE analysis. The simulation results by the CAE
analysis of the leg-sweep apparatus of the invention example and
the comparative example are shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12,
respectively. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the difference in the deformation
amount in local portions of each apparatus is indicated by
shading.
[0199] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is observed that the portion
deformed by the impact load inputted upon collision of the
pedestrian is distributed more widely at the front portion of the
base plate in the leg-sweep apparatus of the invention example than
in the leg-sweep apparatus of the comparative example. This clearly
indicates that the leg-sweep apparatus having the structure
according to the present invention permits the impact load to be
distributed in a wide range at the front portion of the base plate,
thereby effectively preventing deflection of the front portion of
the base plate due to the impact load inputted thereto.
* * * * *