HOOD FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a bonnet for an automobile made from an FRP (fiber reinforced plastic), and specifically, relates to a bonnet for an automobile capable of effectively absorbing an impact load and having an excellent productivity.

Recently, enhancement of safety at a collision accident etc. has been required for an automobile, and in particular, enhancement of performance for protecting a pedestrian at an accident etc. as well as enhancement of safety for a crew side, when an impactive external force is applied, have been required. When an automobile collides with a pedestrian, the pedestrian receives an impact load on the leg or the head against a front portion, a bonnet, etc. of the automobile, and particularly, in order to reduce deadly accidents, it is said that it is inevitable to reduce a damage to the head. Therefore, for a bonnet which is likely to give a damage to the head, it is required to absorb an impact force as much as possible even at the time of collision accident, thereby suppressing the damage to the head.

With respect to this reduction of the damage to the head, a regulation value as an impact relaxation performance of a bonnet is being standardized, and in particular, a head injury criterion (HIC), which is calculated by an acceleration received by the head and the duration thereof, is required to be suppressed at a predetermined value or less. Further, together with such an impact relaxation performance, when a bonnet is deformed toward the inside (that is, the side of an engine room) at the time of collision accident, etc., in order to prevent the deformed bonnet from coming into contact with an inner rigid mounted materials, a rigid vehicle body, etc. and from becoming prop-like to give an excessive impact to the head, etc., an amount of deformation of the bonnet is required to be suppressed at a predetermined level or less, although the level is different depending upon the kind of automobile. Namely, from the viewpoint of protection of a pedestrian, while a property wherein a bonnet can be deformed at a desirable style and a high impact relaxation performance can be exhibited is required, it is required to suppress an amount of deformation of the bonnet at a predetermined level or less. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of protecting both a pedestrian and a crew, when a bonnet is deformed at the time of collision accident, etc., it is desirable that the bonnet is bent at a dogleg-like shape.

By the way, although recently FRP bonnets for automobiles have been developed for a first purpose of lightening and various structures are proposed aiming mainly to increase the strength and the rigidity of a required part (for example, Patent document 1), there is almost no proposal to form an adequate structure for a bonnet for an automobile, from the viewpoint of satisfying the above-described required performance at the time of collision accident, etc.

Although various conventional FRP bonnets are proposed wherein an FRP bonnet comprises an FRP outer forming a surface side and an FRP inner bonded to the back-surface side of the outer, the inner of the conventional FRP bonnet is provided at a same layout as that of an inner of a metal bonnet, or formed in a shape like a picture frame extending over the entire circumference of the outer along the outer edge of the outer. When such an inner with a picture frame-like shape is bonded to an outer, although the rigidity of the entire FRP bonnet can be maintained high and the amount of deformation thereof can be suppressed small, it becomes difficult to exhibit a desirable impact relaxation performance as aforementioned. Particularly, when it is tried to achieve a bending deformation of a bonnet at a dogleg-like shape at the time of collision accident, etc., it becomes necessary to provide a constriction and the like, which becomes a trigger of the bending deformation at a dogleg-like shape, to the inner with a picture frame-like shape, the configuration of the entire inner becomes complicated, and the difficulty on molding increases. Further, in the inner with a picture frame-like shape as described above, at the time of molding the inner, a large-sized mold having substantially the same size as that for an outer is required, the scale of equipment becomes large, and the cost for production and the difficulty on the production increase. Patent document 1: JP-A-2003-146252

Accordingly, paying attention to the aforementioned various performances required to a bonnet for an automobile at the time of collision accident, etc. and the above-described problems in the conventional FRP bonnets, an object of the present invention is to provide a bonnet made from FRP for an automobile which can satisfy such required performances at the time of collision accident, etc. and increase the easiness of production.

To achieve the above object, a bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention has an outer made from FRP and an inner made from FRP which is joined to the back-surface side of the outer, wherein the inner is separated into two parts in a forward and backward direction of a vehicle body.

In such an FRP bonnet for an automobile, since a function as a structural member required with a necessary rigidity is given to the FRP outer while the entire bonnet is maintained light, even if the FRP inner is formed as a divided structure, it becomes possible to satisfy the rigidity and function required for the entire bonnet for an automobile. Namely, this divided structure of the inner can be said to be a structure capable of being employed peculiarly to an FRP bonnet, and usually this structure is not employed for a metal bonnet because, if such an inner divided structure is employed, the number of inner forming processes (for example, press forming processes) increases and the efficiency reduces as compared with a case where an integral product is formed in a single process. In a case of FRP, however, as long as molds for the respective divided inner parts are prepared, it becomes possible to employ the inner divided structure without particularly reducing the efficiency.

In the above-described bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention, it is preferred that at least a part of the above-described inner has a hat-shape cross section, and the respective divided inner parts may have hat-shape cross sections substantially over the entire parts. In such a structure, even if the inner is divided and disposed partially relatively to the outer, the inner can effectively function as a stiffener for the positions disposed, and desired strength and rigidity required for the respective portions can be easily provided.

Further, a structure can be employed wherein the two parts of the inner extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle body substantially over the entire width of the outer, respectively. In this case, it is preferred that at least one part of the inner further has a portion extending along an outer edge of the outer. Namely, a shape extending along the outer edge of the outer after extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle body is preferably employed.

As the above-described outer, as long as a required rigidity can be ensured, may be employed any of a structure wherein the outer comprises an FRP single plate and a structure wherein wherein at least a part of the outer has a sandwich structure in which a core material is interposed between FRP skin plates. In the present invention, in order to ensure a required rigidity, it is preferred that carbon fibers are used as reinforcing fibers for at least an FRP of the outer. However, the reinforcing fibers in the FRP bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention are not particularly limited, it is also possible to use other reinforcing fibers or to use carbon fibers together with the other reinforcing fibers.

The divided two parts of the inner may be disposed in the forward and backward direction of a vehicle body with a space, or may be disposed in the forward and backward direction of a vehicle body at a substantially abutted condition. In any case, because a portion of the outer present between the front and rear inner parts is not reinforced by the inner, this portion of the outer can become a trigger when the outer bends at a dogleg-like shape, and it becomes possible that the outer bends at a dogleg-like shape at a desirable configuration in a desirable direction at the time of collision accident, etc.

Further, in order to achieve the improvement of the performance for protecting the head of a pedestrian at the time of collision accident etc. more effectively, a structure is preferred wherein a difference in rigidity is given between the two parts of the inner. In particular, it is preferred that a rigidity of a part of the inner at a rear side of the vehicle body is set adequately at a condition with a difference as compared with a rigidity of a front-side part of the inner. Where, to give a difference in rigidity between both inner parts includes both of to give a difference between rigidities in sections at standing surfaces extending in the forward and backward direction of a vehicle body, and to give a difference between rigidities in sections at standing surfaces extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle body.

More concretely, a structure can be employed wherein a rigidity of a part of the inner at a rear side of the vehicle body is set smaller than a rigidity of a front-side part of the inner (case A). In this case, for example, it is possible to reduce an acceleration generated in the head at a middle stage in the acceleration/time chart at the time of collision accident, etc. As a result, the head injury criterion (HIC) decreases and the impact relaxation performance increases. This phenomenon is due to a condition where, because the rigidity of the rear side inner part among both inner parts joined to the back surface side of the outer is set smaller, at the middle stage at which an impact is supported by the whole of the bonnet after the outer receives a head hit, a mode in which a deformation due to the hit spreads toward a rear side with a low rigidity is generated, the acceleration of the head is reduced, and the impact relaxation performance increases. In other words, the impact relaxation performance is increased by widening the spreading direction of the distribution of the deformation at the head hit, in addition to the transverse direction of the vehicle body due to the divided structure of the inner, toward the side of the rear inner part with a low rigidity, that is, toward the backward direction of the forward and backward direction of the vehicle body.

Alternatively, a structure can also be employed wherein a rigidity of a part of the inner at a rear side of the vehicle body is set greater than a rigidity of a front-side part of the inner (case B). In this case, it is possible to increase a torsional rigidity of the whole of the bonnet which is a basic property of the bonnet. Namely, as described later, the rear inner part is frequently connected to the vehicle body side at both ends via hinge members, and this rear inner part functions as a kind of torsion bar at the time of load transmission. Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively increase the torsional rigidity of the whole of the bonnet by increasing the rigidity of this load transmission portion.

Where, because the above-described case A and case B are in a trade-off relationship with respect to exhibition of the property for protecting the head of a pedestrian and the torsional rigidity of the whole of the bonnet, in a practical design, an optimum point of both properties is found.

To give the above-described difference in rigidity between both inner parts can be achieved by the following difference in structure between both inner parts or a combination thereof. For example, it can be achieved by a structure wherein the difference in rigidity is given by a difference in cross-sectional shape between both parts of the inner (for example, difference in width, height or thickness), a structure wherein the difference in rigidity is given by a difference in lamination structure of FRP between FRPs forming both parts of the inner (for example, directions of respective layers or volume contents of reinforcing fibers of respective layers), a structure wherein the difference in rigidity is given by a difference in kind of reinforcing fiber of FRP between FRPs forming both parts of the inner (for example, carbon fibers, glass fibers, etc., or combination ratio thereof), etc.

A striker can be attached to a part at a front side of the vehicle body of the inner, and a hinge attaching fitting can be attached to a part at a rear side of the vehicle body of the inner. By this, the attachment and operation functions required for the whole of the FRP bonnet can be easily satisfied.

Furthermore, as a method for giving a difference in rigidity between front and rear inner parts or bonnet portions joined with respective inner parts, the following method can be employed. For example, in a case where hinge attaching fittings are attached to both sides in a transverse direction of the vehicle body of a part at a rear side of the vehicle body of the inner, a structure can be employed wherein a distance between both hinge attaching fittings determined along the rear-side inner part is longer than a distance between both hinge attaching fittings determined linearly. In this structure, the distance determined along the rear-side inner part is longer than the distance between both hinge attaching fittings determined linearly by 1.2 times or more. Concretely, even in a case where the rear-side inner part has a same rigidity, for example, by enlarging the spreading length of the inner part toward the front side of the vehicle body, the distance from the attachment point to the vehicle body (hinge) becomes longer, an easier deflection property is exhibited (that is, an apparent rigidity reduces), and therefore, the impact relaxation performance can be further increased.

Alternatively, a structure can also be employed wherein a difference is given between lengths of the two parts of the inner in a transverse direction of the vehicle body. In this case, in particular, it is preferred that a length of a part at a rear side of the vehicle body of the inner in the transverse direction of the vehicle body is greater than a length of a part at a front side of the vehicle body of the inner in the transverse direction of the vehicle body. In most of known bonnets, mainly from the viewpoint of design, the width of the front side is smaller and the width of the rear side is greater. Therefore, the above-described structure, wherein a difference is given between lengths of the two parts of the inner in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, can be employed relatively easily. By giving a difference in length between the two parts of the inner, particularly, by setting the length of the rear-side inner part in the transverse direction of the vehicle body greater than the length of the front-side inner part in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, it becomes possible to make the rear-side portion of the bonnet to be deflected more easily, enlarge the spreading of the distribution of the deformation at the time of head hit, and further increase the impact relaxation performance.

In a case where the structure is employed wherein the distance between both hinge attaching fittings determined along the rear-side inner part is longer than the distance between both hinge attaching fittings determined linearly or in a case where the structure is employed wherein a difference is given between lengths of the two parts of the inner in the transverse direction of the vehicle body as the above-described method for giving a difference in rigidity between front and rear inner parts or bonnet portions joined with respective inner parts, the inner parts may not be always disposed completely along the outer edge of the outer. Although the position of the outer edge of the outer is frequently decided from the viewpoint of the design of the vehicle body, the inner may be present within the inside relative to the position of the outer edge of the outer, and therefore, the disposition and the dimension of the inner may be decided from the condition for providing the necessary rigidity or difference in rigidity.

Further, in a case of an FRP bonnet having a light and high-rigidity outer, an inner joined to the outer (including an inner divided into two parts in a forward and backward direction of a vehicle body in the present invention) is frequently disposed along an outer edge of the outer and frequently is not disposed in a central portion, and in such a case, the device on the shape of inner cannot be applied in the central portion of the bonnet. In particular, in a case of an outer formed from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) as aforementioned, because of its high rigidity, the whole of the bonnet moves vertically while a certain shape thereof is maintained as it is, and therefore, the energy absorbing performance is rapidly damaged when the inner disposed along the outer edge of the outer comes into contact with the vehicle body or a mounted inside material, and the damage to a pedestrian may become great. Accordingly, in the bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention, as described below, a structure is preferably employed together wherein, by adding a device to the structure of the inner in the bonnet for an automobile having an FRP outer with a high rigidity, the energy absorbing performance of the bonnet body may not be rapidly damaged when the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body or the rigid mounted material, and a desirable energy absorbing performance can be exhibited as the whole of the bonnet at the time of collision accident, etc.

Namely, it is preferred to employ a structure wherein the above-described inner has a stiffener structure formed in a hat shape in cross section, and at least a part of the inner has a great deformation possible sectional portion formed as a structure capable of being greatly deformed at a rising surface part of the hat shape by a vertical load (a great deformation possible section inner structure), or a structure wherein at least a part of the above-described inner has a stiffener structure formed in a schematic hat shape in cross section, a bottom surface of the inner is inclined relative to a vehicle body-side facing surface, and the inner is formed in a rotational deformation possible shape in which a rotational deformation of the inner toward a central portion side in a plane direction of the bonnet is possible after a part of the bottom surface of the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body-side facing surface (a rotational deformation possible inner structure).

In the great deformation possible sectional portion in the above-described great deformation possible section inner structure, either a structure may be employed wherein both rising surface parts of the hat shape are formed as a structure capable of being greatly deformed by a vertical load, or a structure may be employed wherein one of both rising surface parts of the hat shape is formed as a structure capable of being greatly deformed by a vertical load.

Further, either a structure may be employed wherein the great deformation possible sectional portion is provided in a portion of the inner extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle body partially in an extending direction of the portion of the inner, or a structure may be employed wherein it is provided over the entire length thereof in the extending direction.

Further, either a structure may be employed wherein the great deformation possible sectional portion is provided in a portion of the inner extending along an outer edge of the outer partially in an extending direction of the portion of the inner, or a structure may be employed wherein it is provided over the entire length thereof in the extending direction.

Further, a structure may be employed wherein the inner has both of the great deformation possible sectional portion and a usual sectional portion which is not formed as a structure capable of being greatly deformed at a rising surface part of the hat shape by a vertical load, and a sectional structure is gradually changed between the great deformation possible sectional portion and the usual sectional portion.

The above-described great deformation possible sectional portion can be formed as various structures. For example, the great deformation possible sectional portion can be formed by forming a rising surface part of the hat shape as a polygonal line shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by forming a rising surface part of the hat shape as a stepped shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by forming a rising surface part of the hat shape as a curved shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by making a thickness of a rising surface part of the hat shape partially small. Still alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by partially changing a lamination structure of an FRP of a rising surface part of the hat shape.

Further, for the inner having the above-described stiffener structure formed in the hat shape in cross section, an FRP plate structure (a structure comprising an FRP single plate) can be employed. As the outer, although an FRP single plate structure can be employed, in order to give a high rigidity to the whole of the outer, it is preferred that at least a part of the outer has a sandwich structure in which a core material is interposed between FRP skin plates.

In an FRP bonnet for an automobile having such a great deformation possible section inner structure, while a lightness is kept as a whole, basically, a function as a structural member having a necessary rigidity is exhibited by the FRP outer, the FRP inner is joined relative to the portions of the outer lack in rigidity, and a bonnet having a necessary rigidity as a whole is structured.

Then, when the bonnet having the outer with a high rigidity is to absorb an impact applied from a head etc. at the time of collision accident etc. as a collision energy by being deformed vertically, the vertical movement is made smooth by a condition where the great deformation possible sectional portion provided in the inner starts to be deformed without propping up at the time of contact of the inner with the vehicle body side, and a rapid reduction of the energy absorbing performance can be prevented. Further, by deformation of the inner itself, it is possible to exhibit a more desirable energy absorbing performance.

Further, in a case having the above-described rotational deformation possible inner structure, a structure can be employed wherein at least one of rising surface parts of the schematic hat shape is formed as a great deformation possible sectional portion capable of being greatly deformed by a vertical load.

Further, either a structure can be employed wherein a sectional portion having the rotational deformation possible shape is provided in a portion of the inner extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle body partially in an extending direction of the portion of the inner, or a structure can be employed wherein a sectional portion having the rotational deformation possible shape is provided in a portion of the inner extending along an outer edge of the outer partially in an extending direction of the portion of the inner.

Further, a structure can also be employed wherein the inner has both of a sectional portion having the rotational deformation possible shape and a usual sectional portion which is not formed in a rotational deformation possible shape, and a sectional structure is gradually changed between the rotational deformation possible sectional portion and the usual sectional portion.

Further, the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion can be formed as various structures. For example, the great deformation possible sectional portion can be formed by forming a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape as a polygonal line shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by forming a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape as a stepped shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by forming a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape as a curved shape. Alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by making a thickness of a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape partially small. Still alternatively, the great deformation possible sectional portion can also be formed by partially changing a lamination structure of an FRP of a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape.

Further, the inner having the stiffener structure formed in the schematic hat shape in cross section can be formed as an FRP plate structure (a structure comprising an FRP single plate). As the outer, although an FRP single plate structure can be employed, in order to give a high rigidity to the whole of the outer, it is preferred that at least a part of the outer has a sandwich structure in which a core material is interposed between FRP skin plates.

In an FRP bonnet for an automobile having such a rotational deformation possible inner structure, while a lightness is kept as a whole, basically, a function as a structural member having a necessary rigidity is exhibited by the FRP outer, the FRP inner is joined relative to the portions of the outer lack in rigidity, and a bonnet having a necessary rigidity as a whole is structured.

Then, when the bonnet having the outer with a high rigidity is to absorb an impact applied from a head etc. at the time of collision accident etc. as a collision energy by being deformed vertically, the bottom surface of the inner inclined relative to the vehicle body-side facing surface comes into contact with the vehicle body-side surface, after a part of the bottom surface of the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body-side facing surface, the inner formed in the rotational deformation possible shape begins to be rotationally deformed toward the inside of the vehicle body. Because this rotational deformation is directed not to a direction getting out from the vehicle body but to a direction being rotated toward the inside of the vehicle body, at a condition where there are less obstructions, the inner can be deformed and the outer joined with the inner can also be deformed in the same direction. Further, by this rotational deformation, a rotational moment is generated. By these rotational deformation of the inner and generation of the rotational moment associated therewith, the collision energy at the time of collision accident etc. can be absorbed more smoothly, and the collision energy absorbing performance can be increased. Namely, the vertical movement of the bonnet can be made smooth by a condition where the rotational deformation begins without propping up even after the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body-side facing surface and without being obstructed by the vehicle body side, and a rapid reduction of the energy absorbing performance can be prevented. Further, by deformation of the inner itself, it is also possible to exhibit an energy absorbing performance. Effect according to the Invention

In the bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention, the boundary portion present between the front and rear parts of the inner in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle body becomes a low-rigidity portion as the whole of the bonnet, and at the time of collision accident, etc., in particular, at the time of a head-on collision, it becomes possible that the outer is bent in a desirable direction and at a desirable form of a dogleg-like shape, and an excellent impact relaxation performance can be exhibited. Therefore, it becomes possible to satisfy the requirement for protecting a pedestrian at the time of collision accident, etc., and because the direction of the dogleg-like shape bending can be specified, protection of crew can be achieved at the same time.

Further, because the dimensions of the respective divided parts of the inner can be made small by dividing the inner into two parts in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle body, molds etc. may be small-sized, the scale of the equipment for production can be made small, and the cost for the equipment can be reduced and the equipment can be manufactured easily. Further, because the respective inner parts become small, the positioning thereof relative to the outer can be facilitated, and the accuracy for positioning at the time of joining can be improved.

Further, by adequately giving a difference in rigidity between the two inner parts, the spreading of the distribution of the deformation at the time of head hit can be widened in a desirable direction, and a further excellent impact relaxation performance can be exhibited.

Further, although for an inner, usually, it is required to attach a striker to its front portion and hinge attaching fittings to both sides of its rear portion, by forming the inner divided into two parts, the respective attaching members can be easily attached to the respective inner parts, and a necessary function can be easily provided.

Further, in a case of employing the great deformation possible section inner structure, by providing the great deformation possible sectional portion to the inner, even if the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body side at the time of a vertical deformation of the outer, a rapid reduction of the energy absorbing performance of the whole of the bonnet can be prevented, the impact given to a pedestrian at the time of collision accident etc. can be suppressed small, and it becomes possible to protect the pedestrian more adequately.

Further, because an energy absorbing performance can be exhibited by the deformation of the inner having the great deformation possible sectional portion itself, the energy absorbing performance of the whole of the bonnet may be increased.

Further, in a case of employing the rotational deformation possible inner structure together, because the bottom surface of the inner having the schematic hat-shape section is inclined relative to the vehicle body-side facing surface and the inner can be rotated toward a central portion side in a plane direction of the bonnet without being obstructed by the vehicle body side after a part of the bottom surface of the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body-side facing surface, and a desirable rotational moment can be generated, even if the inner comes into contact with the vehicle body side at the time of a vertical deformation of the outer, a rapid reduction of the energy absorbing performance of the whole of the bonnet can be prevented, the deformation of the inner, ultimately, the whole of the bonnet, can happen smoothly, the impact given to a pedestrian at the time of collision accident etc. can be suppressed small, and it becomes possible to protect the pedestrian more adequately.

Furthermore, because an energy absorbing performance can be exhibited by the deformation of the inner having the rotational deformation possible sectional portion itself, the energy absorbing performance of the whole of the bonnet may be further increased.

• [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bonnet for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inner depicted in Fig. 1.
• [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a schematic back view of a bonnet for an automobile according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a schematic partial sectional view of a conventional FRP bonnet for an automobile.
• [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the bonnet depicted in Fig. 4, showing a state where a reactive force is generated.
• [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inner having a hat-shape section of the bonnet depicted in Fig. 4.
• [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner in a bonnet for an automobile according to a further embodiment of the present invention, showing each of examples of great deformation possible sectional portions.
• [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner in the present invention, showing each of other examples of great deformation possible sectional portions.
• [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner according to a further embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a rotational deformation possible sectional portion.
• [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner in the present invention, showing each of examples in a case where a great deformation possible sectional structure is added to a rotational deformation possible inner structure.
• [Fig. 11] Fig. I 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner in the present invention, showing each of other examples in a case where a great deformation possible sectional structure is added to a rotational deformation possible inner structure.

• 1, 11: bonnet for automobile
• 2, 12: FRP outer
• 3, 13: FRP front inner
• 4, 14: FRP rear inner
• 5: hat-shape cross section of inner
• 6: striker
• 7: hinge attaching fitting
• 21: conventional bonnet for automobile
• 22: FRP outer
• 23, 24: FRP skin plate
• 25: core material
• 26: FRP inner
• 27: vehicle body side
• 28: head of pedestrian at collision accident etc.
• 29, 30: straight rising surface part of hat shape
• 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53: rising surface part of hat shape
• 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54: sectional structure of hat-shape inner
• 61: inner having rotational deformation possible section
• 62: bottom surface of inner
• 63: vehicle body-side facing surface
• 64: bonnet
• 65, 66: rising surface part of schematic hat shape
• 67: outer
• 68: rotational moment
• 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81: rising surface part of schematic hat shape
• 73, 76, 79, 82, 91, 92, 93, 94: sectional structure of schematic hat shape

Hereinafter, desirable embodiments of the present invention will be explained referring to figures. Fig. 1 shows a bonnet for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, symbol 1 shows the whole of the bonnet for an automobile, and the bonnet 1 comprises an FRP outer 2 positioned at a surface side, and FRP front inner 3 and rear inner 4 which are joined to the back surface side of the outer and separated into two parts in a forward and backward direction of a vehicle body. FRP outer 2 is spread in a plane direction over the entire surface of the bonnet, and formed as a curved shape required depending upon the kind of automobile. This outer 2 may be formed as an FRP single plate structure, or may be formed as a sandwich structure in which a core material (for example, a core material formed from a foamed material) is interposed between FRP skin plates. Although it is possible to form front inner 3 and rear inner 4 as sandwich structures, because a desirable rigidity can be easily ensured by joining them to outer 2 at a single-plate and desirable-stiffener structure, it is preferred to form them as single plate structures.

In order to give a desirable stiffener function to each of inners 3 and 4, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, it is preferred to form the cross section of the inner in a hat shape. Although hat-shape cross section 5 can be formed partially relative to each inner, in the present invention, because the inner is divided into two parts of inners 3 and 4 and the inner is not disposed at an unnecessary position, it is preferred to form each inner in a hat-shape cross section substantially over the whole.

In this embodiment, front inner 3 extends in the transverse direction of a vehicle body substantially over the entire width of outer 2, and further has portions each shortly extending along the outer edge of outer 2 at both side portions. Rear inner 4 also extends in the transverse direction of a vehicle body substantially over the entire width of outer 2, and further has portions each shortly extending along the outer edge of outer 2 at both side portions. These front inner 3 and rear inner 4 are disposed in the forward and backward direction of a vehicle body with a space. However, it is possible to dispose both inners at a condition where the portions shortly extending along the outer edge of outer 2 are abutted to each other. In any case, because reinforcement of outer 2 by joining them to outer 2 is not carried out in the boundary portion between front inner 3 and rear inner 4, this boundary portion becomes a low-rigidity portion extending in the transverse direction of a vehicle, and it becomes a trigger portion for bending deformation at a dogleg shape of outer 2 at the time of a head-on collision, etc.

A striker 6 is attached to front inner 3 as a engaging member for opening/closing the bonnet via an adhesive or a bolt, etc. Fittings 7 for attaching a hinge (not shown) for operation of opening/closing the bonnet (operation of rotation) are attached to both sides of rear inner 4, and these hinge attaching fittings 7 may be attached via an adhesive or a bolt, etc.

FRP in the bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention means a resin reinforced by reinforcing fibers, and as the reinforcing fibers, for example, inorganic fibers such as carbon fibers and glass fibers, and organic fibers such as Kevler fibers, polyethylene fibers and polyamide fibers, can be exemplified. From the viewpoint of easy control of plane rigidity, particularly carbon fibers are preferred. As the matrix resin of FRP, for example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a vinylester resin and a phenolic resin can be exemplified, and further, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyamide resin, a polyolefine resin, a dicyclopentadiene resin and a polyurethane resin also can be used. Although it is possible to form FRP comprising these reinforcing fibers and matrix resin as a single layer structure, in order to exhibit a desirable property (in particular, a desirable flexural rigidity or torsional rigidity in a specified direction), a lamination structure is preferred. Further, the mechanical properties of FRP can be appropriately set by selection or combination of the above-described reinforcing fibers and matrix resin, orientation and volume content of the reinforcing fibers, the lamination structure, etc. In addition to these, the rigidity of the inner and a difference in rigidity between inner parts can be appropriately set by a sectional shape of inner (width, height, thickness, etc.), a length of inner itself, extending shape of inner, etc. Further, as the core material in a case of employing a sandwich structure, an elastic material, a foamed material or a honeycomb material can be used, and for the purpose of lightening, a foamed material is particularly preferred. The material of the foamed material is not particularly limited, and for example, a foamed material of a polymer material such as a polyurethane, an acrylic, a polystyrene, a polyimide, a vinyl chloride, a phenol, etc. can be used. The honeycomb material is not particularly limited, and for example, an aluminum alloy, a paper, an aramide paper, etc. can be used.

In the bonnet for an automobile 1 according to the above-described embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, outer 2 exhibits a necessary plane rigidity required for the bonnet 1 as a main structural member, and rigidity components lack at the front and rear portions are supplemented by joining front inner 3 and rear inner 4 divided into two parts. Since the inner is separated into two parts in the forward and backward direction of a vehicle body and particularly in this embodiment, a portion of the outer therebetween is formed as a low-rigidity portion which is not reinforced by the inner and extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, at the time of collision accident, etc. (in particular, at the time of a head-on collision), the portion becomes a trigger portion for a dogleg-like shape bending deformation, and from the viewpoint of relaxing an impact given to a pedestrian and protecting a crew, it becomes possible that the whole of bonnet 1 is bent in a desirable direction and at a desirable form of a dogleg-like shape.

Further, because the sizes of front inner 3 and rear inner 4 become much smaller that the size of a conventional picture-frame like inner, the production thereof due to RTM molding or SMC molding is facilitated, molds therefor may be small, the scale of the equipment therefor may be small, and the cost for the equipment may be inexpensive. Further, because the small-sized front inner 3 and rear inner 4 are joined to outer 2, the accuracy for positioning can be easily improved. Furthermore, attachment of striker 6 and hinge attaching fittings 7 to front inner 3 and rear inner 4 can be easily carried out, and functions required for operation can also be easily satisfied.

Further, as aforementioned, in order to increase the performance for protecting the head of a pedestrian at the time of collision accident, etc. more effectively, it is preferred to employ a structure wherein a difference in rigidity is given between two inner parts. In order to give a difference in rigidity, for example, can be employed a structure giving a difference between cross-sectional shapes of both inners, a structure giving a difference between lamination structures of FRPs forming both inners, a structure giving a difference between kinds of reinforcing fibers of FRPs forming both inners, and further, a a structure giving a difference between lengths in the transverse direction of vehicle body of both inners, in particular, a structure adding a device to the extending shape of the rear inner.

An example is shown in Fig. 3. In a bonnet for an automobile 11 shown in Fig. 3, a difference in length in the transverse direction of a vehicle body is given between FRP front inner 13 and rear inner 14 joined to FRP outer 12, and a length L1 of rear inner 14 is set longer than a length L2 of front inner 13. Further, a distance L3 between both hinges determined along the shape of rear inner 14 is set longer than a distance L4 between both hinges determined linearly, by 1.2 times or more. In such a structure, the distribution of the spreading of the deformation of the bonnet at the time of collision accident, etc. is adequately widened toward the rear side of the vehicle body, and the impact relaxation performance can be further increased. Where, although Fig. 3 shows each inner completely along the outer edge of the outer, the inner may be present at an inside position within the outer edge of the outer, and the outer edge of the outer may be greater than the size of the inner toward outside.

In the present invention, as aforementioned, for the FRP inner, a structure having a great deformation possible sectional portion (a great deformation possible section inner structure), or a structure formed in a rotational deformation possible shape capable of being rotationally deformed toward a central portion side in a plane direction of the bonnet (a rotational deformation possible inner structure), can be employed.

First, the meaning of providing a great deformation possible sectional portion to the inner in the present invention will be explained referring to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows a usual setting state of the front side of a conventional FRP bonnet for an automobile. In the FRP bonnet for an automobile 21 shown in the figure, an FRP outer 22 is formed as a sandwich structure in which a core material 25 is interposed between FRP skin plates 23 and 24, and the circumferential edge portion is formed as an FRP single plate structure as an extended portion of FRP skin plate 23. Where, it is also possible to form the FRP outer as an FRP single plate structure over the entire area. An FRP inner 26 is joined to a necessary portion at the back surface side of this FRP outer 22. Inner 26 functions as a stiffener for reinforcing a portion of outer 22 lack in rigidity, and for example, as shown in the figure, it has a stiffener-structure cross section with a hat shape. In this FRP bonnet for an automobile 21, at a usual setting state, as shown in Fig. 4, a predetermined gap is provided between inner 26 (in particular, the bottom surface of inner 26) and the vehicle body side 27 including an inside mounted material (hereinafter, called as the "vehicle body side" including structural materials 27a, 27b, etc. shown in the figure).

At this state, for example, if a head 28 of a pedestrian collides from upper side at the time of collision accident, etc., as shown in Fig. 5, the whole of bonnet 21 sinks, and by such a behaviour, an impact applied to head 28 is absorbed to some extent. Then, when inner 26 comes into contact with vehicle body side 27 of a rigid body, a reaction force F from the vehicle body side 27 is generated, the acceleration applied to head 28 rapidly increases, and the energy absorbing performance rapidly decreases. Since FRP inner 26 has a cross section which has rising surface portions 29 and 30 on both sides of a hat shape as shown in Fig. 6, at the above-described contact time, a great reaction force is generated by being propped with these rising surface portions 29 and 30.

Accordingly, in the present invention, in a case where a great deformation possible section inner structure is employed, in order to reduce the above-described reaction force rapidly increased, at least a part of FRP inner 26 is formed as a great deformation possible sectional portion capable of being greatly deformed by a vertical load. In particular, in a case where carbon fibers are used as reinforcing fibers of FRP, because the rigidity of the outer is extremely high, the advantage due to this reduction of the reaction force by providing a great deformation possible sectional portion to FRP inner 26 is great. In order to form this hat-shape stiffener-structure cross-sectional portion as a great deformation possible structure, for example, the following various structures can be employed.

First, in order to form a great deformation possible sectional portion by a shape of the cross section, for example, it can be formed as shown in Fig. 7 (A), (B), (C) or (D). In the inner cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 7(A), a sectional structure 33 is employed wherein each of rising surface parts 31 and 32 at both sides of the hat shape is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward outside, and in the structure shown in Fig. 7(B), a sectional structure 36 is employed wherein each of rising surface parts 34 and 35 at both sides of the hat shape is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward inside. By employing such a sectional structure, as aforementioned, after the FRP inner comes into contact with vehicle body side 27, a great deformation can be easily generated as shown in Figs. 7(A) and 7(B) by dotted lines, by this, a rapid increase of acceleration applied to the head etc. of a pedestrian which has collided with the bonnet can be suppressed, the contact becomes soft, and the impact force is relaxed. Further, because the inner itself deformed greatly can absorb the energy at that time, the energy absorbing performance as the whole of the bonnet is increased.

Further, in the inner cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 7(C), a sectional structure 39 is employed wherein each of rising surface parts 37 and 38 at both sides of the hat shape is formed as a stepped shape, and in the structure shown in Fig. 7(D), a sectional structure 42 is employed wherein each of rising surface parts 40 and 41 at both sides of the hat shape is formed as a bent curved shape. Also in such a sectional shape, an excellent energy absorbing performance can be exhibited similarly to that in Figs. 7(A) or 7(B).

Further, as shown in Fig. 8 (A), (B), (C) and (D), the above-described great deformation possible cross-sectional shapes can be combined arbitrarily for the rising surface parts at both sides of the hat shape, and further, it is possible to form a great deformation possible cross-sectional shape only on one rising surface part of the hat shape. In the inner cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 8(A), a sectional structure 45 is employed wherein one rising surface part 43 of the hat shape is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward outside and the other rising surface part 44 is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward inside, and in the structure shown in Fig. 8(B), a sectional structure 48 is employed wherein one rising surface part 46 of the hat shape is left as a straight shape and only the other rising surface part 47 is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward inside. In structure shown in Fig. 8(C), a sectional structure 51 is employed wherein one rising surface part 49 is left as a straight shape and only the other rising surface part 50 is formed as a stepped shape, and in the structure shown in Fig. 8(D), a sectional structure 54 is employed wherein one rising surface part 52 of the hat shape is formed as a shape curved toward inside and the other rising surface part 53 is formed as a bent curved shape. In such sectional structures, an excellent energy absorbing performance similar as described above is given, a deformation like a rotation toward the right side in each of Figs. 8(A), 8(B), 8(C) and 8(D) can be easily performed, and it also becomes possible to give a directivity to the deformation of the inner and to prevent a greatly deformed inner from damaging an inside mounted important equipment.

Although a great deformation possible sectional portion is formed by the shape of the section in Figs. 7 and 8, it is possible to form a great deformation possible sectional portion having a similar function by other methods. For example, it can be achieved by a structure wherein the thickness of a rising surface part of the hat shape of the FRP inner is partially made smaller, or by a structure wherein the lamination structure of FRP of a rising surface part of the hat shape is partially changed. As the method for partially making the thickness smaller, for example, a method for partially reducing the number of the lamination of the reinforcing fiber layers of the rising surface part can be employed, and as the method for partially changing the lamination structure of FRP, for example, a method for partially changing the angle of the orientation of the reinforcing fibers of the reinforcing fiber layers laminated on the rising surface part to an angle easily deformed, a method for partially changing the kind of the reinforcing fibers, etc. can be employed.

In a case where the inner is joined to a plurality of portions of the outer, the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion can be set partially at a position to be required. For example, although there are many cases where a striker and the like is provided to a front part (front side of vehicle body) of the bonnet and hinge attaching fittings and the like are provided to a rear part thereof (rear side of vehicle body) and a high rigidity due to joining of the inner has to be given to both parts, because side parts do not require such a high rigidity, it is preferred that the contact with a fender becomes soft and the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion is applied thereto. By this, as viewed as the whole of the bonnet, it becomes possible to enlarge an area having a high performance for protecting a head and the like. Further, also in the rear part, with respect to a portion other than the part attached with the hinge attaching fitting, the contact with the vehicle body side can be soft by employing the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the inner part extends by a predetermined length along the outer edge and the like of the outer, it is also possible to provide the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion to a required portion in the extending direction of the inner part. In a case where the inner has both of the great deformation possible sectional portion and a usual sectional portion which is not formed as a structure capable of being greatly deformed at a rising surface part of the hat shape by a vertical load (for example, a usual hat-shaped sectional portion as shown in Fig. 6), a structure can also be employed wherein the sectional structure is gradually changed between the great deformation possible sectional portion and the usual sectional portion. By this, without generating an undesirable stress concentration and the like in a boundary portion therebetween, it is possible to give a necessary rigidity and a necessary deformation property to each inner part.

Next, will be explained a case where a rotational deformation possible inner structure is applied to the inner according to the present invention. In a case where a great reaction force may be generated as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in order to reduce such a reaction force rapidly increased, an inner structure, for example, as shown in Fig. 9, can be employed. In the structure shown in Fig. 9, a part of inner 61 has a cross section of a stiffener structure with a schematic hat shape, and a bottom surface 62 of inner 61 is inclined relative to a facing surface 63 of vehicle body side. Further, inner 61 is formed in a rotational deformation possible shape capable of being rotationally deformed toward a central portion in the plane direction of bonnet 64 (in the figure, in the arrow direction Y) after a part of bottom surface 62 of inner 61 comes into contact with the vehicle body side facing surface 63. In the example shown in Fig. 9, this rotational deformation possible shape is formed by setting the lengths and rising angles of rising surface parts 65 and 66 of the schematic hat shape different from each other depending on the inclination of bottom surface 62.

In the bonnet 64 having such a structure, when an impact load is applied to outer 67 from the upper side, the outer 67 is deformed downward, a part of bottom surface 62 of inner 61 (a corner portion) comes into contact with vehicle body side facing surface 63, and as shown by the dotted line in the figure, namely, it is deformed so as to be rotated toward the central portion side in the plane direction of bonnet 64 (in the figure, in the arrow direction Y). Because of deformation toward the inside of the vehicle body, as compared with deformation toward outside, the deformation can be performed at a condition where there is no obstruction, or even if there is an obstruction, it does not become a great obstruction, and the deformation is proceeded smoothly and softly. Further, accompanying with this rotational deformation, a rotational moment 68 is generated, and this rotational moment 68 operates so as to absorb a collision energy applied from outside. Moreover, because at that time the inner 61 itself being rotationally deformed can absorb the energy, the energy absorbing performance as the whole of the bonnet can be further increased. In particular, in a case where carbon fibers are used as the reinforcing fibers of FRP, because the rigidity of outer 67 is extremely high, by applying such a structure to FRP inner 61, an extremely excellent relaxation effect can be obtained for the aforementioned reaction force from the vehicle body side. Therefore, the collision energy is smoothly absorbed, a desirable energy absorbing performance can be exhibited, and a pedestrian at the time of collision accident etc., particularly, the head of the pedestrian, is adequately protected.

In the bonnet for an automobile applied with such a rotational deformation possible inner structure, the inner having the above-described structure is formed preferably as a structure wherein at least one of the rising surface parts of the schematic hat shape is further formed as a great deformation possible sectional portion capable of being greatly deformed by a vertical load. By this, the rapid increase of acceleration applied to the head and the like of a pedestrian having collided with the bonnet can be suppressed, the contact becomes soft, and the impact force can be further relaxed. In order to form this schematic hat-shape stiffener-structure cross-sectional portion as a great deformation possible structure, for example, the following various structures can be employed.

First, in order to form a great deformation possible sectional portion by a shape of the cross section, for example, it can be formed as shown in Fig. 10 (A), (B), (C) or (D). In the inner cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 10(A), a sectional structure 73 is employed wherein one rising surface part 71 of the schematic hat shape is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward outside, and the other rising surface part 72 is formed as a straight shape, in the structure shown in Fig. 10(B), a sectional structure 76 is employed wherein rising surface parts 74 and 75 at both sides of the schematic hat shape are formed as stepped shapes, in the structure shown in Fig. 10(C), a sectional structure 79 is employed wherein one rising surface part 77 of the schematic hat shape is formed as a polygonal line shape protruding toward inside, and the other rising surface part 78 is formed as a straight shape, and in the structure shown in Fig. 10(D), a sectional structure 82 is employed wherein one rising surface part 80 of the schematic hat shape is formed as a curved bent shape, and the other rising surface part 81 is formed as a shape curved toward inside. Thus, by forming in a sectional shape having a great deformation possible sectional portion, a further excellent collision energy absorbing effect can be obtained.

The sectional shape having a great deformation possible sectional portion can further employ various shapes. For example, as shown in Fig. 11 (A), (B), (C) and (D), schematic hat-shape inner sectional shapes 91, 92, 93 and 94 can be employed, and further, it is possible to employ shapes other than those depicted in the figures.

Although a great deformation possible sectional portion is formed by the shape of the section in Figs. 10 and 11, it is possible to form a great deformation possible sectional portion having a similar function by other methods. For example, it can be achieved by a structure wherein the thickness of a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape of the FRP inner is partially made smaller, or by a structure wherein the lamination structure of FRP of a rising surface part of the schematic hat shape is partially changed. As the method for partially making the thickness smaller, for example, a method for partially reducing the number of the lamination of the reinforcing fiber layers of the rising surface part can be employed, and as the method for partially changing the lamination structure of FRP, for example, a method for partially changing the angle of the orientation of the reinforcing fibers of the reinforcing fiber layers laminated on the rising surface part to an angle easily deformed, a method for partially changing the kind of the reinforcing fibers, etc. can be employed.

In a case where the inner is joined to a plurality of portions of the outer, the sectional portion having the above-described rotational deformation possible portion and further the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion can be set partially at a position to be required. For example, although there are many cases where a striker and the like is provided to a front part (front side of vehicle body) of the bonnet and hinge attaching fittings and the like are provided to a rear part thereof (rear side of vehicle body) and a high rigidity due to joining of the inner has to be given to both parts, in portions other than the portions attached with these members, an inner sectional shape capable of being greatly deformed can be employed. Further, because side parts of the bonnet do not require such a high rigidity, it is preferred that the contact with a fender becomes soft and the above-described rotational deformation possible portion and further the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion are applied thereto. By this, as viewed as the whole of the bonnet, it becomes possible to enlarge an area having a high performance for protecting a head and the like.

Further, for example, in a case where the inner part extends by a predetermined length along the outer edge and the like of the outer, it is also possible to provide the above-described rotational deformation possible portion and further the above-described great deformation possible sectional portion to a required portion in the extending direction of the inner part. In a case where the inner has both of the rotational deformation possible portion, further the great deformation possible sectional portion, and a usual sectional portion which is not formed as such a structure (for example, a usual hat-shaped sectional portion as shown in Fig. 6), a structure can also be employed wherein the sectional structure is gradually changed between the rotational deformation possible portion, the great deformation possible sectional portion, and the usual sectional portion. By this, without generating an undesirable stress concentration and the like in a boundary portion therebetween, it is possible to give a necessary rigidity and a necessary deformation property to each inner part.

Furthermore, the rotation direction of the inner of the schematic hat-shape section is set in a direction toward a central portion side in a plane direction of the bonnet, as aforementioned. For example, as to the right side of a vehicle body (the driver seat side of a right handle automobile), it is set as a counter clockwise direction as viewed from the front side of the vehicle body, as to the left side of a vehicle body (the side of a seat beside the driver of a right handle automobile), as a clockwise direction as viewed from the front side of the vehicle body, as to a front edge, as a counter clockwise direction as viewed from the left side of the vehicle body, as to a front edge, as a clockwise direction as viewed from the left side of the vehicle body, respectively.

The FRP bonnet for an automobile according to the present invention can be applied to any bonnet for an automobile for which a lightness is required as a whole and an effective impact absorbing performance due to a predetermined deformation and an excellent productivity are required.