Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford-werke Gmbh

Bernd Linden

Joergen Hilmann

Bert Niessen

Jörgen Hilmann

A front module for a motor vehicle includes two longitudinal members arranged one on either side, a bumper sitting in front of the two longitudinal members and connected to front ends of the longitudinal members with the interconnection of a respective deformation element, and a radiator frame arranged between the longitudinal members and supporting the cooling assembly. In a collision, the bumper, after the deformation of the deformation element, comes to bear against the radiator frame, wherein the radiator frame can then be displaced for a limited distance to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment. After displacement or deformation of the radiator frame, the bumper () comes to bear against at least one point of the cooling assembly () in order to displace the latter to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment.

Front module for a motor vehicle

Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.

Growing community of inventors

Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany

Bernd Linden