DESC:Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to vehicle structures and more particularly, to a vehicle front structure that provides a controlled gap and structural rigidity to the vehicle.

Background of the invention

Conventionally, a vehicle setup has separate panels and a bracket which are welded to a front structure for mounting interfacing systems such as a bumper, a bonnet, a headlamp and a grill thereby making limited accessibility for a radiator and other front interface. Also, the conventional vehicle construction which has welded bonnet and associated structures causes constraints in access during reparability and service.

Accordingly there is a need of a vehicle front structure that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a controlled gap and structural rigidity to a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of mountings in a single panel to achieve desired gap and flushness.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle front structure. The vehicle comprises a front outer grill, a front outer panel and a bumper. The vehicle front structure comprises a front inner panel, a pair of grill mounting brackets and a front grill panel. The front inner panel, the pair of grill mounting brackets and the front grill panel provides design gap, flushness and structural rigidity to the vehicle front structure.

The front inner panel is fitted on a front side of a vehicle body. The front inner panel includes a vehicle interface system mounted thereon. The vehicle interface system includes a horn mounting and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning routings (hereinafter “the HVAC”).

The pair of grill mounting brackets is connected to the front inner panel. Each grill mounting bracket includes a plurality of holes configured thereon. The front grill panel is connected to the pair of grill mounting brackets. The front grill panel is made up of a material selected from a group consisting of a sheet metal composite, a plastic such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic and an aluminium casting. The front grill panel comprises a first set of plurality of mounting points, a second set of plurality of mounting points, a third set of plurality of mounting points, a first recess and a second recess.

The first set of plurality of mounting points is used for mounting the front outer grill thereon. The second set of plurality of mounting points is used for mounting the front outer panel thereon. The third set of plurality of mounting points is used for mounting the bumper thereon. The first recess is used for accessing the horn mounting. The second recess is used for accessing the HVAC routings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figures 1-2 show various mounting parts of a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a vehicle front structure, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is an assembly view showing a mounting sequence of a front grill panel to a pair of grill mounting brackets, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a first set of plurality of mounting points of the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a second set of plurality of mounting points of the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a third set of plurality of mounting points of the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the front grill panel showing presence of recesses, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 is an assembly view showing a mounting sequence of a front outer grill, on the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is an assembly view showing a mounting sequence of a front outer panel on the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 11 is an assembly view showing a mounting sequence of a bumper on the front grill panel, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a vehicle front structure that provides a controlled gap and structural rigidity to the vehicle. The vehicle front structure provides a plurality of mountings in a single panel thereby achieving desired gap and flushness.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1-11, a vehicle front structure (100) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The vehicle (not numbered) comprises a front outer grill (110), a front outer panel (120) and a bumper (130).

The vehicle front structure comprises a front dash/inner panel (10) (hereinafter “the front inner panel (10)”), a pair of grill mounting brackets (20) (hereinafter “the brackets (20)”) and a front grill panel (40).

The front inner panel (10) is fitted on a front side (not numbered) of a vehicle body (not numbered). The front inner panel (10) includes a plurality of openings (not numbered) configured thereon. In an embodiment, the plurality of openings is of different shapes and sizes. The front inner panel (10) is adapted to receive the brackets (20) thereon. The front inner panel (10) also includes a vehicle interface system (not shown) mounted thereon. The vehicle interface system includes a horn mounting (not shown) and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (hereinafter “the HVAC”) routings (not shown).

The brackets (20) are connected to the front inner panel (10) for example by spot welding. Each bracket (not numbered) includes a plurality of holes (not numbered) configured thereon. The plurality of holes is adapted to bolt the front grill panel (40) thereon. In an embodiment, the front inner panel (10) facilitates formation of a bolted joinery on the brackets (20) which has a unique cross section thereby helping in achieving the needed structural rigidity of the vehicle front structure (100).

The front grill panel (40) is made up of a material selected from a group consisting of a sheet metal composite, a plastic such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic and an aluminium casting. The front grill panel (40) comprises a first set of plurality of mounting points (22), a second set of plurality of mounting points (24), a third set of plurality of mounting points (26), a first recess (28) and a second recess (30).

The first set of plurality of mounting points (22) is used for mounting the front outer grill (110) on the front grill panel (40). The second set of plurality of mounting points (24) is used for mounting the front outer panel (120) on the front grill panel (40). The third set of plurality of mounting points (26) is used for mounting the bumper (130) on the front grill panel (40). In an embodiment, all the mounting components like the front outer grill (110), the front outer panel (120) and the bumper (130) are mounted through different mounting screws which avoid the hinge and make the assembly process easier.

The first recess (28) is used for accessing the horn mounting and the second recess (30) is used for accessing the HVAC routings. Accessibility to reach the HVAC routings for filling coolant and assembly/dismantling is protected in the front grill panel (40).

Advantages of the invention

1. The design of the vehicle front structure (100) provides easy reparability
during accident.
2. The front inner panel (10), the pair of grill mounting brackets (20) and the front grill panel (40) provides design gap, flushness and structural rigidity to the vehicle front structure (100).
3. The bolt-able joinery makes fitment and service much easier.
4. The vehicle front structure (100) is light weight and includes less components resulting in elimination of latch, hinge, hinge reinforcement and hood type structure thereby saving considerable monetary value.
5. The vehicle front structure (100) has simple construction, optimum weight and added ergonomic advantage like easy accessibility for fitment and service.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A vehicle front structure (100), the vehicle having a front outer grill (110), a front outer panel (120) and a bumper (130), the vehicle front structure (100) comprising:
a front inner panel (10) fitted on a front side of a vehicle body, the front inner panel (10) having a vehicle interface system mounted thereon, wherein the vehicle interface system includes a horn mounting and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning routings;
a pair of grill mounting brackets (20) connected to the front inner panel (10), each grill mounting bracket having a plurality of holes configured thereon; and
a front grill panel (40) connected to the pair of grill mounting brackets (20), the front grill panel (40) having,
a first set of plurality of mounting points (22) for mounting the front outer grill (110) thereon,
a second set of plurality of mounting points (24) for mounting the front outer panel (120) thereon,
a third set of plurality of mounting points (26) for mounting the bumper (130) thereon;
a first recess (28) for accessing the horn mounting therethrough, and
a second recess (30) for accessing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning routings therethrough,
wherein, the front inner panel (10), the pair of grill mounting brackets (20) and the front grill panel (40) provides design gap, flushness and structural rigidity to the vehicle front structure (100).

2. The vehicle front structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front grill panel (40) is made up of a material selected from a group consisting of a sheet metal composite, a plastic such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic and an aluminium casting.