Front structure for an automotive vehicle comprising an impact energy distribution structure

摘要

A front structure 1 for an automotive vehicle comprises a cross beam 2, two side beams 3, 4 positioned generally perpendicular to the cross beam, two impact energy absorbing crash boxes 5, 6, one of the crash boxes extending between the cross beam and each of the side beams, and a further energy distribution structure 7 configured to preferentially distribute energy arising from an impact F on the cross beam to the crash boxes in directions parallel to the side beams. The energy distribution structure may further reduce the portion of energy distributed in directions perpendicular to the side beams, and may comprise a cross support member extending between the two crash boxes. The cross support member may comprise a bar, a flat web, an L-shaped bracket, a box beam or steel wire, and may be made from a metal, an alloy, a metal composite or a plastics composite.