Patent ID: 7159911
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A fender configuration for a vehicle, the fender configuration comprising: at least one fender cross member disposed in a vehicle front end region in a transverse direction of the vehicle; a fender cover forming an outer skin of the fender configuration; and at least one energy-absorbing insert, in an assembled state, disposed at least regionally between said fender cross member and said fender cover, said energy-absorbing insert having at least one of a plurality of deformation recesses and deformation clearances formed therein, said energy-absorbing insert being constructed in three layers including a first insert outer layer functioning as a first energy absorption layer, an insert middle layer functioning as a second energy absorption layer, and a second insert outer layer functioning as a third energy absorption layer, said insert middle layer having a different energy absorbency than said first and second insert outer layers, said first and second insert outer layers being made of a foam material and having approximately equal density with substantially equal energy absorbency, said insert middle layer being associated with said fender cross member such that, in the assembled state of said energy-absorbing insert, said insert middle layer is disposed approximately level with said fender cross member, and said at least one of said deformation recesses and deformation clearances are configured in said insert middle layer such that, in a collision, if a force acts upon said fender cover, said enemy-absorbing insert, in utilizing said at least one of said deformation recesses and said deformation clearances, is at least regionally plastically deformable in at least one of the transverse direction of the vehicle and in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with a small block length for energy absorption.