A compressible engine hood buffer block for pedestrian protection and automobiles
By designing a compressible engine hood buffer block, and utilizing springs and a shell structure to increase energy absorption space upon impact, the problem of insufficient compression distance in existing buffer blocks is solved, achieving pedestrian protection and reducing maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAIC MOTOR CORP LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing engine hood buffer blocks have limited compression distance in terms of pedestrian protection, which cannot effectively absorb the energy of a pedestrian's head impact, resulting in significant injuries.
Design a compressible engine hood buffer block, including a housing, a spring, a buffer block body, and a support block. The spring's elasticity allows the buffer block to extend outside the housing under normal conditions and retract into the housing upon impact, increasing energy absorption space and reducing injury.
In the event of a pedestrian collision, the buffer block retracts to increase energy absorption space, reducing head injuries. Furthermore, individual components can be replaced, reducing maintenance costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224427351U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive safety design, and more specifically, relates to a compressible engine hood buffer block and an automobile that takes into account pedestrian protection. Background Technology
[0002] Every year, road traffic accidents cause many people to be injured, disabled, or even lose their lives. In recent years, my country has also promulgated some mandatory laws and regulations, emphasizing that more consideration should be given to pedestrian protection in the process of car design, which fully reflects the importance attached to pedestrian protection.
[0003] Engine hood bumpers are typically made of solid rubber. Their main function is to effectively cushion the impact force between the hood and the vehicle body or engine compartment sheet metal when the hood is closed. However, when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the limited compression distance of the bumper in this area results in a small energy absorption space for the pedestrian's head during impact, failing to adequately protect the pedestrian. In the development of automotive pedestrian protection systems, head impacts often result in significant injuries at the location where the bumper is installed on the hood. Therefore, designing a new type of bumper that considers pedestrian protection is essential. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a compressible engine hood buffer block and a vehicle that takes pedestrian protection into account. The buffer block body is telescopically installed in the housing of the engine hood buffer block, and under the support of a spring, the buffer block body is always pushed out of the housing. When the engine hood with the buffer block installed is closed normally, the lower housing contacts the body sheet metal. When a pedestrian collision occurs, after the head hits the engine hood and generates a large impact force, the buffer block body is squeezed back into the housing. At the same time, the spring itself is compressed, causing the engine hood to shift downward a certain distance, creating a larger energy absorption space for head impact and reducing the injury from head impact.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a compressible engine hood buffer block that takes pedestrian protection into account, comprising:
[0006] The shell is columnar and includes an upper shell and a lower shell connected to each other. The top of the upper shell is provided with a connecting hole.
[0007] A spring, one end of which is fixed inside the lower housing, is arranged along the axial direction of the housing;
[0008] The buffer block body is disposed through the connecting hole in the middle. One end of the buffer block body located outside the housing is used to connect with the engine cover, and the other end of the buffer block body located inside the housing is engaged with the inner wall of the upper housing.
[0009] A support block is disposed inside the housing, and both ends of the support block are connected to the spring and the buffer block body, respectively.
[0010] Optionally, the upper housing is threadedly connected to the lower housing.
[0011] Optionally, a boss is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the lower housing, and the boss is engaged with one end of the spring.
[0012] Optionally, the inner cavity sidewall of the upper housing is provided with an inclined surface, which is conformally arranged to the outer peripheral surface of the buffer block body.
[0013] Optionally, the buffer block body has a plurality of lugs evenly distributed on the outer periphery of one end inside the housing. The lugs extend toward the lower housing, and the angle between the direction of the lugs and the length direction of the buffer block body is no greater than 60°.
[0014] Optionally, a horizontal connecting portion is provided at the angle between the lug and the buffer block body.
[0015] Optionally, the vertical cross-section of the support block is H-shaped, the upper end of the support block is provided with a circumferential protrusion, the protrusion is embedded in the area between the lug and the buffer block body, and the lower end of the support block is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring.
[0016] Optionally, the buffer block body has an external thread at one end located outside the housing, and a blind hole is provided in the center of the end face.
[0017] Optionally, the shell, the buffer block body, and the support block are made of rubber or plastic.
[0018] This invention also provides a car including the aforementioned compressible engine hood buffer block with consideration for pedestrian protection.
[0019] This utility model provides a compressible engine hood buffer block and a car that takes pedestrian protection into consideration, and its beneficial effects are as follows:
[0020] 1. When the engine hood is normally closed, the spring uses its own elastic force to push the lower housing and the buffer block body to the maximum distance. The elastic force of the spring is greater than the weight of the engine hood, thus stably supporting the engine hood. When a pedestrian collision occurs, after the pedestrian's head hits the engine hood, the spring is compressed, the distance between the lower housing and the buffer block body is compressed, and the engine hood can move further into the engine compartment. This increases the buffer space when the pedestrian's head hits the engine hood. Such a buffer space cannot be achieved by existing buffer blocks made of rubber materials after being compressed. Therefore, this engine hood buffer block achieves the effect of reducing injury to pedestrians.
[0021] 2. The engine buffer block includes upper and lower housings, springs, buffer block body and support block components. When the engine buffer block has a problem, the damaged parts can be replaced individually, and the other intact parts can be reused. In contrast, the existing buffer block is a one-piece molded structure, and the whole block needs to be replaced when the existing buffer block has a problem. Therefore, the engine buffer block can reduce the maintenance rate.
[0022] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like parts.
[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection in mind, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown.
[0025] Figure 2 An internal cross-sectional view of a compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection in consideration of one embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0026] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the upper housing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0027] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a buffer block body according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0028] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a support block according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0029] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the connection between the spring and the lower housing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0031] 1. Upper shell; 2. Lower shell; 3. Spring; 4. Buffer block body; 5. Support block; 6. Lug; 7. Horizontal connection part; 8. Inclined surface; 9. Protrusion; 10. External thread; 11. Blind hole. Detailed Implementation
[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. While preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.
[0033] This utility model provides a compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection in mind, comprising:
[0034] The shell is columnar and includes an upper shell and a lower shell that are connected to each other. The top of the upper shell has a connecting hole.
[0035] A spring, one end of which is fixed inside the lower housing, is positioned along the axial direction of the housing;
[0036] The buffer block body is installed through the connecting hole in the middle. One end of the buffer block body located outside the housing is used to connect with the engine cover, and the other end of the buffer block body located inside the housing is engaged with the inner wall of the upper housing.
[0037] The support block is located inside the housing, and its two ends are connected to the spring and the buffer block body, respectively.
[0038] Specifically, the structure of this buffer block involves installing a spring and a support block inside the housing, with the buffer block body extending through a connecting hole. When the buffer block body is not compressed, the spring transmits its own elastic force to the buffer block body via the support block, maximizing the distance the buffer block body extends outside the housing. Since one end of the buffer block body inside the housing engages with the inner wall of the upper housing, and the spring's own elastic force is greater than the weight of the hood, when the hood is normally closed, the buffer block body connects and supports the hood, while the lower housing contacts the body panels in the engine compartment, ensuring a stable hood fastening position and guaranteeing that the hood's mounting surface meets process requirements. When a car collides with a pedestrian, the head impacts the hood. The spring compresses upon impact, causing the buffer block body to lose support. The buffer block body retracts into the housing and moves the hood into the engine compartment, creating a larger energy absorption space for head impacts and reducing head injury.
[0039] Optionally, the upper housing and the lower housing are threaded together.
[0040] Specifically, the upper and lower housings of the buffer block are detachably connected by a threaded connection, forming a structure with an inner cavity. The spring, support block, and part of the buffer block body are placed inside the housing. When the buffer block is damaged and can no longer support the engine hood or protect pedestrians, it needs to be disassembled to determine which part is damaged. Only the damaged part needs to be replaced, and then the buffer block can be reassembled and installed on the engine hood for normal use.
[0041] Optionally, a boss is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the lower housing, and the boss is engaged with one end of the spring.
[0042] Specifically, a spring is first installed inside the housing, and the spring is fixed by a boss inside the lower housing, so that the spring can be placed vertically inside the lower housing. Then, the support block and the buffer block body are installed on the upper end of the spring in sequence. Finally, the upper housing is connected to the lower housing, and all components are sealed inside the housing. In this way, the spring can lift the buffer block body by its own elastic force.
[0043] Optionally, the inner cavity sidewall of the upper shell is provided with an inclined surface, which is conformally arranged to the outer peripheral surface of the buffer block body.
[0044] Specifically, the upper inner wall of the upper housing has an inclined surface, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the buffer block body also forms an inclined surface. When the buffer block body is lifted by the spring and extends out of the connecting hole, the inclined surface of the upper housing and the inclined surface of the buffer block body cooperate with each other to guide the upward movement of the buffer block body, ensuring that after the upper and lower housings are connected, the buffer block body can extend normally from the connecting hole. In this way, the buffer block can be connected to the engine cover through the upper end of the buffer block body. Also, after the buffer block body extends normally, when the engine cover is closed normally, the lower housing can contact the sheet metal parts of the engine compartment to ensure the stable closure of the engine cover.
[0045] Optionally, the buffer block body has multiple lugs evenly distributed on the outer periphery of one end inside the shell, with the lugs extending downward toward the shell, and the angle between the direction of the lugs and the length direction of the buffer block body being no more than 60°.
[0046] Optionally, the vertical cross-section of the support block is H-shaped, the upper end of the support block is provided with a protrusion along the circumference, the protrusion is embedded in the area between the lug and the buffer block body, and the lower end of the support block is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring.
[0047] Specifically, the lower outer periphery of the buffer block body is provided with multiple lugs, which form a forked structure on the outer periphery of the buffer block body. The protrusion at the upper end of the support block is inserted into the area between the buffer block body and the lugs. Under the action of the spring's own elastic force, the spring lifts the support block, and the support block then lifts the buffer block body through the protrusion at its upper end. In this way, the buffer block body extends to its maximum height from the connecting hole of the upper shell. When the engine hood applies an impact force to the upper end of the buffer block body, the buffer block body retracts into the shell. The buffer block body applies downward pressure to the support block through the lower side of the lugs, thereby compressing and deforming the spring, ensuring that the engine hood moves downward and creating a larger energy absorption space for pedestrian head impact.
[0048] Optionally, a horizontal connecting part is provided at the angle between the lug and the buffer block body.
[0049] Specifically, a horizontal connecting part is set at the connection between the support lug and the buffer block body, and a protrusion of the same width is also set on the top of the support block. When the support block lifts the buffer block body or the buffer block body presses down the support block, the force-bearing surface of the top of the support block in contact with the support lug and the buffer block body is larger and the force is more even. During the force-bearing movement, the top of the support block will not cause impact damage to the connection strength between the support lug and the buffer block body.
[0050] Optionally, the buffer block body has an external thread at one end outside the housing, and a blind hole is provided in the center of the end face.
[0051] Specifically, the buffer block body is connected to the mounting hole of the engine cover through the external thread of the buffer block body. The installation height of the buffer block is adjusted by screwing the external thread. The blind hole on the buffer block body can increase its own deformation, which makes it easier for the buffer block body to be installed into the mounting hole of the engine.
[0052] Optionally, the shell, buffer block body, and support block are made of rubber or plastic.
[0053] Specifically, apart from the spring, the other components of the buffer block can be made of rubber or plastic, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the buffer block and increase its buffer deformation capacity.
[0054] This invention also provides a car including the aforementioned compressible engine hood buffer block with consideration for pedestrian protection.
[0055] Example
[0056] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model provides a compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection in mind, comprising:
[0057] The shell is columnar and includes an upper shell 1 and a lower shell 2 that are connected to each other. The top of the upper shell 1 is provided with a connecting hole.
[0058] Spring 3, one end of which is fixed inside the lower housing 2, is arranged along the axial direction of the housing;
[0059] The buffer block body 4 is installed through the connecting hole in the middle. The upper end of the buffer block body 4 located outside the housing is used to connect with the engine cover. The lower end of the buffer block body 4 located inside the housing is engaged with the inner wall of the upper housing 1.
[0060] The support block 5 has an H-shaped vertical cross-section. The support block 5 is installed inside the housing. The upper end of the support block 5 is connected to the buffer block body 4, and the lower end is connected to the spring 3.
[0061] In this embodiment, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are threaded together.
[0062] In this embodiment, a boss is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the lower housing 2, and the boss is engaged with one end of the spring 3.
[0063] In this embodiment, two lugs 6 are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of one end of the buffer block body 4 located inside the shell. The lugs 6 extend downward toward the shell. The angle between the direction of the lugs 6 and the length direction of the buffer block body 4 is no more than 60°. A horizontal connecting part 7 is provided at the angle position.
[0064] In this embodiment, the inner cavity sidewall of the upper housing 1 is provided with an inclined surface 8, and the inclined surface 8 is conformally arranged to the outer surface of the support lug 6.
[0065] In this embodiment, the upper end of the support block 5 is provided with a protrusion 9 along the circumferential direction. The protrusion 9 is embedded in the area between the lug 6 and the buffer block body 4. The lower end of the support block 5 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring 3.
[0066] In this embodiment, the buffer block body 4 is provided with an external thread 10 at one end located outside the housing, and a blind hole 11 is provided in the center of the end face.
[0067] In this embodiment, the shell, buffer block body 4, and support block 5 are made of rubber or plastic.
[0068] This invention also provides a car including the aforementioned compressible engine hood buffer block with consideration for pedestrian protection.
[0069] In summary, during the assembly of the engine hood buffer block, the spring 3, support block 5, and buffer block body 4 are first installed sequentially into the lower housing 2. Then, the upper housing 1 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the buffer block body 4 and threadedly connected to the lower housing 2. Under the elastic force of the spring 3, the buffer block body 4 extends normally from the housing. Next, it is connected to the engine hood via the external thread 10 on the buffer block body 4. By observing the surface difference of the engine hood when it is closed, the exposed length of the engine hood buffer block is adjusted. When the engine hood is closed normally, there is a gap between the upper housing 1 and the engine hood, and between the lower housing 2 and the engine hood. When the sheet metal parts of the engine compartment come into contact, the elastic force of spring 3 is greater than the weight of the engine hood. When spring 3 normally lifts the buffer block body 4, it can also support the engine hood. When a pedestrian collision occurs, the pedestrian's head hits the engine hood, applying a downward impact force to the engine hood. This exceeds the elastic force of the spring itself, and the spring is compressed. This also causes the support block 5 and the buffer block body 4 to move downward. As a result, the engine hood also moves downward, creating a larger energy absorption space for head impact, thereby reducing the injury from head impact. When the impact force decreases, the engine hood buffer block returns to its original position and can be reused.
[0070] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.
Claims
1. A compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection in mind, characterized in that, include: The shell is columnar and includes an upper shell and a lower shell connected to each other. The top of the upper shell is provided with a connecting hole. A spring, one end of which is fixed inside the lower housing, is arranged along the axial direction of the housing; The buffer block body is disposed through the connecting hole in the middle. One end of the buffer block body located outside the housing is used to connect with the engine cover, and the other end of the buffer block body located inside the housing is engaged with the inner wall of the upper housing. A support block is disposed inside the housing, and both ends of the support block are connected to the spring and the buffer block body, respectively.
2. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper housing and the lower housing are threaded together.
3. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A boss is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the lower housing, and the boss is engaged with one end of the spring.
4. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cavity sidewall of the upper shell is provided with an inclined surface, which is conformally arranged to the outer peripheral surface of the buffer block body.
5. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The buffer block body has multiple lugs evenly distributed on the outer periphery of one end inside the housing. The lugs extend toward the lower housing, and the angle between the direction of the lugs and the length direction of the buffer block body is no greater than 60°.
6. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A horizontal connecting part is provided at the angle between the lug and the buffer block body.
7. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The vertical cross-section of the support block is H-shaped. The upper end of the support block is provided with a circumferential protrusion. The protrusion is embedded in the area between the lug and the buffer block body. The lower end of the support block is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring.
8. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer block body has an external thread at one end located outside the housing, and a blind hole is provided in the center of the end face.
9. The compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shell, the buffer block body, and the support block are made of rubber or plastic.
10. A car, characterized in that, Includes a compressible engine hood buffer block with pedestrian protection as described in any one of claims 1-9.