Abstract:
A fender protector structure of a vehicle, includes a body structure including a body panel and a fender panel, the body structure defining a wheel well, a fender protector means connected to the body structure for covering an outer periphery of the wheel well, and a means for reinforcing the fender protector extending from the body panel to the fender panel, wherein the means for reinforcing includes a means for fixing the fender protector to the body panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-324479, filed Dec. 17, 2007. The contents of the priority application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a fender protector structure of a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fender protector structure having a reinforcing beam portion extending between a body panel and a fender panel. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. (Hei) 11-208514 (hereinafter “Patent Document 1”) discloses a vehicle wherein a wheel arch portion is formed at a portion of a fender panel corresponding to a wheel well of a body structure, and wherein a fender protector is disposed on the fender panel so as to cover an outer side of a vehicle wheel well between the wheel arch portion of the fender panel and a vehicle body inner plate. 
         [0006]    In such a structure, although fixing points can be formed on the fender protector for attachment to the fender panel at a vehicle body side at each end of a periphery of the wheel arch portion, it is difficult to establish a fixing point at the vehicle side at a peripheral intermediate portion of the wheel arch portion. Accordingly, sufficient rigidity may be lacking at the peripheral intermediate portion of the wheel arch portion for accommodating a load applied from the lateral outer side. 
         [0007]    Thus, according to Patent Document 1, a rib is disposed at an outer end of the fender protector with respect to a vehicular width direction of the fender protector. Further, the rib contacts an inner surface of the fender panel to thereby enhance and improve the rigidity at the peripheral intermediate portion of the wheel arch portion. 
         [0008]    However, since the rib extends only a short distance from the outer end of the fender protector in the vehicular width direction in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, the structure still lacks sufficient rigidity (e.g., at the lateral inner portion in the vehicular width direction compared to the rib). As a result, the structure lacks sufficient rigidity to accommodate an outer force exerted from the lateral outer side to the peripheral intermediate portion of the wheel arch portion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED SUBJECT MATTER 
       [0009]    In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a fender protector structure of a vehicle including a body structure including a body panel and a fender panel, the body structure defining a wheel well, a fender protector connected to the body structure and covering an outer periphery of the wheel well, and a reinforcing beam portion of the fender protector extending from the body panel to the fender panel. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to manufacture a body of a vehicle including defining a wheel well with a body panel and a fender panel of a body structure, covering an outer periphery of the wheel well with a fender protector, extending a reinforcing beam portion of the fender protector from the body panel to the fender panel, and fixing the reinforcing beam portion of the fender protector to the body panel with a fixing portion. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a fender protector structure of a vehicle including a body structure including a body panel and a fender panel, the body structure defining a wheel well, a fender protector means connected to the body structure for covering an outer periphery of the wheel well, and a means for reinforcing the fender protector extending from the body panel to the fender panel, wherein the means for reinforcing includes a means for fixing the fender protector to the body panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle body structure including a fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure when viewed from the bottom. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure when viewed from an outer front side. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fender protector in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure when viewed from an outer rear side. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the fender protector structure taken along a line VII-VII in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1 to 7  show a fender protector structure in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a port side of a vehicle body front portion including a fender protector structure.  FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the fender protector structure.  FIG. 3  is a top view of the fender protector.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fender protector when seen from the bottom.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fender protector when seen from an outer front side.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fender protector when seen from an outer rear side.  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in  FIG. 3 . Further, in each drawing, “FR” indicates a vehicular front direction, “UP” indicates a vehicular upward direction and “WO” indicates an outer side in a vehicular width direction. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , in a vehicle body framework structure of select embodiments, a front pillar  3  may be assembled from a front end of a side sill  2  toward an upward direction. Further, a dash panel  4  for dividing a front compartment FC and a vehicle compartment R may be bonded between the right and left front pillars  3  (only the left front pillar  3  is shown in  FIG. 1 ). Also, a hood ridge member  6  may protrude and be disposed in a front direction of the front pillar  3  via a hood ridge reinforcement  5 . Additionally, a dash side member  7  may be fastened at an upper side of the hood ridge reinforcement  5 . 
         [0023]    Further, a front side member  8  may extend along a vehicular front-and-rear direction at lower ends of both sides in a vehicular width direction of the front compartment FC. A sub-frame (not shown) may be disposed in a bracket  9  fastened at the front end of the front side member  8 . An arm of a front suspension (not shown) may be disposed in the sub-frame. 
         [0024]    Also, a strut tower  10  may be assembled at an outer side in a vehicular width direction of the front side member  8 . An upper end of the strut tower  10  may be fastened at an inner side of the hood ridge reinforcement  5 . 
         [0025]    The fender protector structure in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may be set in the vehicle body framework structure as described above. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fender protector structure may include the front fender panel  1 , which may be disposed at a vehicle width outer side of the vehicle body framework structure, and a fender protector  20 . 
         [0026]    The fender panel  1  forms a part of a vehicle body outer plate and may be disposed on the vehicle body framework structure at numerous points so as to cover an outer side in a vehicular width direction of a front wheel well  29 . In select embodiments, by using bolts (not shown), an upper end installing portion  1   a  of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at an upper surface  7   a  of the dash side member  7 . Further, a front end installing portion lb of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at a front end side surface  5   a  of the hood ridge reinforcement  5 , while a lower end installing portion  1   c  of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at a lower end side surface  3   a  of the front pillar  3 . A lower portion rear end installing portion  1   d  of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at a lower end rear surface  3   b  of the front pillar  3 , while an upper portion rear end installing portion  1   e  of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at an intermediate portion rear surface  3   c  of the front pillar  3 . Also, a rear portion upper side installing portion If of the fender panel  1  may be fastened at an intermediate portion side surface  3   d  of the front pillar  3 . The arrows shown around a periphery of the fender panel  1  in  FIG. 1  indicate the fastening directions of the bolts. 
         [0027]    A wheel arch portion  1 W may be formed at a lower end of the fender panel  1 . The wheel arch portion  1 W may be bent in an arc shape. From  FIG. 1 , it may be understood that the fender panel may lack an installing point for fastening to the vehicle body framework structure at least at a peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W. 
         [0028]    The fender protector  20  may be molded by synthetic resin in an approximately semi-arc panel shape that covers an outer periphery of a vehicle wheel well  29 . Further, the fender protector  20  may prevent splash mud or rainwater from intruding into the vehicle body framework structure in the wheel well  29 . 
         [0029]    A plurality of fixing portions  22 ,  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  20   f  and  20   r  for fixing the fender protector  20  to the vehicle body framework structure is disposed in the fender protector  20  along the vehicular front-and-rear direction. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fixing portions  22 ,  22 A,  22 B,  22 C,  20   f  and  20   r  overlap a part of the vehicle body framework structure, such as a flange portion  5 F in  FIG. 7 , so as to be fixed to the vehicle body framework structure by clips C. While clips C are described, it should be understood that any other appropriate fastener, including, but not limited to, screws, rivets, welds, and bolts may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    A cutout portion  21  for fitting the strut tower  10  may be formed at an upper side intermediate portion of the fender protector  20 . Further, the first fixing portion  22  may be disposed adjacent to a side edge portion  21   a  of the cutout portion  21  at an approximately intermediate position in the vehicular width direction. Also, the second fixing portion  22 A may be disposed rearward from the first fixing portion  22  at a distance L. Moreover, the fixing portions  20   f  and  20   r  may be disposed at the front and rear ends of the fender protector  20 . 
         [0031]    Further, a plurality of fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may be formed at an end edge portion  20 S in the vehicular width direction outer side of the fender protector  20 . The fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may be configured to be fixed to the fender panel  1  at or near the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W of the fender panel  1 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may overlap with a part of the fender panel  1 , such as a flange portion  1 F in  FIG. 7 , such that the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B are fixed to the fender panel  1  by clips C. The fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may be formed in numerous regions along the vehicular front-and-rear direction and may be formed at predetermined intervals. Further, because the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may be formed to be recessed downwardly from an upper surface of an outer peripheral wall  20   a  of the fender protector  20 , a step is formed between the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B and the outer peripheral wall  20   a.    
         [0032]    Also, in the present embodiment, reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed in the fender protector  20 . The reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  are shown formed extending from a fixing portion, such as first fixing portion  22  and second fixing portion  22 A, at the vehicle body framework structure in the vehicular width direction inner side, to the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W of the fender panel  1  at an end edge portion (end)  20 S in the vehicular width direction outer side. 
         [0033]    The reinforcing beam portion  24  extending from the first fixing portion  22  toward the vehicular width direction outer side may include a plurality (five shown) of the reinforcing beam portions  24 A-E radially extending from the first fixing portion  22 . Further, the reinforcing beam portion  25  may extend from the second fixing portion  22 A extends in the forward direction toward the fixing portion  23 B, and the reinforcing beam portion  24 E extending from the first fixing portion  22  extends rearward toward the fixing portion  23 B. 
         [0034]    Further, the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B formed at the end edge portion  20 S in the vehicular width direction of the fender protector  20  may be disposed to be adjacent to two reinforcing beam portions (e.g., any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ). That is, as shown, fixing portion  23  may be disposed between the reinforcing beam portions  24 A and  24 B at the end edge portion  20 S in the vehicular width direction of the fender protector  20 , while the fixing portion  23 A may be disposed between the reinforcing beam portions  24 C and  24 D at the end edge portion  20 S in the vehicular width direction of the fender protector  20 . Also, the fixing portion  23 B may be disposed between the reinforcing beam portions  24 E and  25  at the end edge portion  20 S in the vehicular width direction of the fender protector  20 . While a fender protector  20  is illustrated having three fixing portions  23 ,  23 A, and  23 B, and six reinforcing beam portions  24 A,  24 B,  24 C,  24 D,  24 E, and  25 , it should be understood that fender protectors having fewer or additional fixing portions or reinforcing beam portions may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0035]    Also, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , inclined surfaces  26  and  26 A may be formed as a portion of the end edge portion  20 S and may be disposed between two adjacent reinforcing beam portions (any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ) where the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B are not disposed. The inclined surfaces  26  and  26 A are shown inclined from the surface which define the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B to the outer peripheral surface  20   a.    
         [0036]    Further, the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed with upwardly convex beams. That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a back surface (a lower surface) of the fender protector  20  is formed with a plurality of grooves. Also, the grooves may protrude to form an upper surface, which may be “taller” than the outer peripheral surface  20   a  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0037]    A cross-section of the fender protector  20  and vehicle body framework structure will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . In select embodiments, a hood ridge upper panel  5   b  may extended in a downward direction. The hood ridge upper panel  5   b  may form an inner side of the hood ridge reinforcement  5 , which may become a closed cross section. Further, a lower end of an extending portion  5   c,  which may extend form the hood ridge upper panel  5   b,  may be bent in a cross-sectional L-shape at the vehicular width direction outer side to form a flange portion  5 F. The flange portion  5 F may overlap the fixing portion  22  and may then be fixed by clip C. Moreover, a lower portion of the hood ridge upper panel  5   b  may be bonded to a suspension spring support  10   a . The suspension spring support  10   a  may form an upper end surface of the strut tower  10 . 
         [0038]    A peripheral portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W of the fender panel  1  may be bent toward the vehicle inner side to form a flange portion  1 F. The flange portion  1 F may overlap the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B in the fender protector  20  and may then be fixed by clips C. Further,  FIG. 7  illustrates the fixing portion  22 , the reinforcing beam  24 C and the fixing portion  23 A. However, the reinforcing beams  24 A,  24 B,  24 D, and  24 E and the fixing portions  23  and  23 B may have similar cross-sectional shapes. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the present embodiment, a longitudinal wall portion  27  may be formed at the outer end in the vehicular width direction of the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25 . A foaming resin  28  may be disposed in a gap between the longitudinal wall portion  27  and the fender panel  1  to act as a buffering body for absorbing additional force. Foaming resin  28  may be pre-formed to fit into gap between longitudinal wall portion  27  and fender panel  1  or may, in the alternative, be “spray” molded as an injectable and expandable foam in place following assembly of fender protector  20  to fender panel  1 . 
         [0040]    According to the fender protector structure as described above, as shown in  FIG. 7 , if an outer force F is exerted upon fender panel  1  from the lateral outer side to the vehicular width direction inner side, fender panel  1  may bend toward the vehicular width direction inner side from outer force F. 
         [0041]    In certain embodiments, the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed in the fender protector  20 . The reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed to extend from the fixing portions  22  and  22 A which may be fixed to the vehicle body framework structure in the vehicular width direction inner side to the outer end in the vehicular width direction, which may be fixed to the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W of the fender panel  1 . As such, it may be possible to transfer the outer force F (i.e., the load) from the fender panel  1  to the vehicle body framework structure via the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25 . Thus, because the rigidity of the fender protector structure with respect to the outer force F may increase, it is possible to reduce the bending of the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W of the fender panel  1 . 
         [0042]    Further, in certain embodiments, a plurality of the reinforcing beams  24 A to  24 E may be formed. The reinforcing beams  24 A to  24 E may extend radially from the fixing portion  22  toward the vehicular width direction outer side. As such, the ends at the vehicular width direction outer side of the reinforcing beam portions  24 A to  24 E may be disposed throughout a relatively broader range of the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm. Also, because the rigidity of the fender protector  20  may be increased by the reinforcing beam portion  24 , it may be possible to expand a region where the bending of the wheel arch portion  1 W is suppressed. 
         [0043]    Also, in certain embodiments, a plurality of the reinforcing beams (any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ) may be disposed so as to have the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B disposed therebetween. As such, because the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B may be disposed between the reinforcing beams (any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ), which have a high rigidity, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the fender protector  20  and the fender panel  1  during installation by increasing the rigidity of the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B. 
         [0044]    Further, in certain embodiments, a plurality of the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed. The reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may extend from a plurality of the fixing portions  22  and  22 A spaced in the vehicular width direction inner side along the vehicular front-and-rear direction toward the fixing portion  23 B which may be fixed to the peripheral intermediate portion  1 Wm of the wheel arch portion  1 W. That is, a plurality of the reinforcing beam portions may be formed. As such, since it is possible to disperse the outer force F into the plurality of the fixing portions  22  and  22 A via these two reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25 , it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the fender protector  20 . 
         [0045]    Also, in certain embodiments, the inclined surfaces  26  and  26 A of the end edge portion  20 S at the vehicular width direction outer side of the fender protector  20  may be formed between the ends in the vehicular width direction outer side of a plurality of the reinforcing beams (any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ). That is, because the bent shape may be formed with the inclined surfaces  26  and  26 A, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the end edge portion  20 S. 
         [0046]    Further, in certain embodiments, the foaming resin  28  to act as the buffering body may be disposed between the fender panel  1  and the longitudinal wall portion  27  as the outer end in the vehicular width direction of the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25 . As such, an outer force F may be absorbed by the foaming resin  28 . Also, in embodiments wherein the fender protector  20  only directly contacts the fender panel  1 , friction between the fender protector  20  and fender panel  1  may produce a vibration or sound. However, where the foaming resin  28  is inserted and supported as described above, such a problem may be suppressed. Moreover, the buffering body may include other materials having a buffering function such as, for example, a foaming urethane, unwoven fabric, etc. 
         [0047]    Also, the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  may be formed as upwardly convex beams. As such, it is possible to form the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25  into the fender protector relatively easily. Further, it is possible to execute an operation to fasten the fender panel  1  and the fender protector  20  together by inserting a finger from a downward direction into grooves defined by the reinforcing beam portions  24  and  25 . In particular, it may be seen from a downward direction that a groove may be formed between two reinforcing beam portions (any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ) which may define the fixing portions  23  and  23 A. Thus, because it is possible to hold the fender protector  20  by inserting, for example, a thumb and an index finger into the two reinforcing beam portions (e.g., any two of  24 A to  24 E and  25 ), it may also be possible to more smoothly and securely execute an operation to attach the fixing portions  23 ,  23 A and  23 B to the fender panel  1  with clips C. 
         [0048]    While the present disclosure has been presented with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.