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DE-102025115602-A1 - Motor vehicle front for a passenger car

DE102025115602A1DE 102025115602 A1DE102025115602 A1DE 102025115602A1DE-102025115602-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle front end (10) for a passenger car, comprising a fairing part (14) arranged on an end face of the motor vehicle front end (10) and a front hood (12) having a leading edge, wherein the fairing part (14) is held on a front end carrier (17) via a first support element (16), and wherein the front hood (12) can be displaced into the front area in a direction of impact (F) during a frontal collision, wherein a sealing element (18) sealing the gap (S) is arranged in a gap (S) between the leading edge and a connecting edge of the fairing part (14) facing the leading edge.

Inventors

  • Martin Schaefer
  • Aryendra Chaudhary

Assignees

  • Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20250423

Claims (9)

  1. Motor vehicle front end (10) for a passenger car, comprising a fairing part (14) arranged on an end face of the motor vehicle front end (10) and a front hood (12) having a leading edge, wherein the fairing part (14) is held on a front end carrier (17) via a first support element (16), and wherein the front hood (12) is displaceable into the front area in a direction of impact (F) during a frontal collision, characterized in that a sealing element (18) sealing the gap (S) is arranged in a gap (S) between the leading edge and a connecting edge of the fairing part (14) facing the leading edge.
  2. motor vehicle bug (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element (18) is formed in a form-fitting manner between the front edge and the connecting edge.
  3. Motor vehicle front (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (18) is elastically designed in an area arranged substantially in the direction of impact movement (F) behind the front edge.
  4. Motor vehicle front (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (18) is attached to the first support element (16) and/or to the front end support (17).
  5. Motor vehicle front (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (18) has a limiting element (18a) on which a relative movement of the front hood (12) in the direction of impact movement (F) can be limited.
  6. motor vehicle bug (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the limiting element (18a) and the sealing element (18) are formed in one piece.
  7. motor vehicle bug (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the limiting element (17a) is arranged on the front end carrier (17) and is positioned in the space for the relative movement of the front hood (12).
  8. motor vehicle bug (10) after one of the Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the limiting element (18a, 17a) is at least partially flexible.
  9. motor vehicle bug (10) after one of the Claims 5 until 8 , characterized in that the limiting element (18a, 17a) consists of a damping material.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle front for a passenger car according to the preamble of claim 1. Such vehicle fronts - also referred to as front structures - are intended for the design of the front vehicle structure, in particular for connecting the front hood to the front structure and for integrating functional elements in the area of the front wall. A vehicle's front end is fundamentally designed to provide a structural and functional interface between the hood and the front-end structure. A key technical requirement here is the reliable guidance of the hood in a frontal collision. In addition to aspects of installation space design and component integration, passive safety functions, particularly regarding pedestrian protection and engine compartment protection, must be fulfilled. The object of the invention is to provide a further development of a motor vehicle front end, by means of which the safety in the area of the hood guidance in a frontal impact is improved. This problem is solved by a motor vehicle prow with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures. One aspect of the invention relates to a front end structure for a passenger car, comprising a fairing panel arranged on an end face of the front end and a hood having a leading edge, wherein the fairing panel is held on a front end support via a first support element, and the hood is displaceable into the front area in a direction of impact during a frontal collision. The front end structure thus includes key structural elements in the transition area between the hood and the front of the vehicle, namely the hood, the fairing panel, the first support element, and the front end support. The direction of the impact movement corresponds to the typical relative movement of the hood in a frontal crash – for example, with a pedestrian, cyclist, or in a collision with a fixed obstacle. In such crash scenarios, the precise control of the hood's trajectory is crucial to ensure a defined force is transferred to the body structure and to protect subsequent components in the front compartment, such as high-voltage systems or control units. According to the invention, a sealing element is arranged in a gap between the leading edge of the hood and a connecting edge of the trim panel facing the leading edge. This sealing element fulfills a dual function: Firstly, it ensures a seal in the typically open joint area, thus improving protection against water, dirt, or aerodynamically induced air ingress. Secondly, the sealing element can be used as a structurally integrated functional element that can also perform crash-related tasks. In particular, it can contribute to energy absorption and/or force redirection in the event of an impact. Its immediate proximity to the leading edge of the hood allows for direct coupling to the force application surface of the hood, thereby achieving effective interaction with the movement component in a crash. The present solution thus allows for the structural and functional integration of the sealing function. At the same time, this integration enables improved use of installation space and a reduction in the number of components. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is designed to form a positive fit between the leading edge and the connecting edge. This ensures secure positioning in the installed state and a defined coupling during relative movement in the event of a crash. The positive fit also prevents the sealing element from shifting under load or being forced out of the gap. Additionally, component tolerances between the hood and the trim panel can be reliably compensated for in this way without impairing the sealing function. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is elastically designed in a region located essentially in the direction of impact movement behind the leading edge. This elastic region acts as an energy dissipator, absorbing the forces acting upon impact and converting them into a defined deformation. After the impact, the sealing element can return to its original position due to its elastic recovery properties, thus maintaining the sealing effect. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is attached to the first support element and/or to the front end support. This structural connection enables a stable and durable seal. Mounting is achieved within the existing body structure. Depending on the vehicle, integration can be either on one or both sides, always ensuring secure support and force transmission. Furthermore, connection to load-bearing structural elements increases effectiveness in force distribution during a crash. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element comprises a limiting element against which relative movement of the hood in the direction o