Bumper assembly with a bumper crossmember for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Bumper arrangement with a bumper crossmember (12) for a motor vehicle, wherein the bumper crossmember (12) extends over a large part of the width of the motor vehicle, wherein the bumper crossmember (12) comprises at least one connection area (14) to a deformation element (16) arranged behind the bumper crossmember (12) for connecting the bumper crossmember (12) to a longitudinal member, wherein the bumper crossmember (12) has at least one end section (18) which projects laterally outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle beyond the connection area (14), wherein A space-locking element (36) is arranged on the bumper crossmember (12) and / or on the deformation element (16) and / or an element firmly connected to the bumper assembly (10) such that, when forces acting at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the front on the bumper assembly (10) are applied, which cause a relative movement of the bumper crossmember (12) in the area of ​​the deformation element (16) relative to the rear end (24) of the deformation element (16) due to plastic deformation of the deformation element (16), a relative movement of at least a partial area of ​​the end section (18) of the bumper assembly (10) relative to the bumper crossmember (12) in the area of ​​the deformation element (16) is caused, directed at least partially forwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, characterized by that, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, at least one slot (20) is formed as a profile weakening (34) on the bumper cross member (12) in an inner area of ​​the end section (18) facing the connection area (14), and the installation space securing element (36) is arranged on the rear side of the end section (18) of the bumper cross member (12) directly adjacent to it between the slot (20) and a free end (32) of the end section (18), and / or the installation space securing element (36) is fixed on the rear side of the end section (18) of the bumper cross member (12) between the slot (20) and a free end (32) of the end section (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bumper arrangement with a bumper cross member for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular a front bumper arrangement with a bumper cross member arranged in the region of the front end of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Bumper cross members, which are usually connected to the longitudinal members of motor vehicles via deformation elements, are nowadays used for a variety of purposes in motor vehicles. One of their main tasks is to absorb energy by compressing the deformation elements in the event of vehicle collisions such as rear-end collisions, etc. Common bumper arrangements are usually designed in such a way that deformation of the deformation elements only occurs when a certain force level is exceeded, e.g. from 50 kN, usually only above 100 kN. The deformation of the deformation elements (also called impact absorbers or crash boxes) usually only begins at forces of more than 110 kN. Smaller forces only lead to deformation of the bumper cross member and / or components arranged in front of the bumper cross member.In addition, bumper cross members are now also frequently used for pedestrian protection purposes. An elastic material (usually a foam material) is arranged in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction) in front of the bumper cross member in such a way that the bumper cross member serves as an abutment. This material is used to sense the impact by an element (usually a hose) arranged in the elastic material even at forces well below 100 kN (e.g. from 100 N, 200 N, 500 N or 5 kN), which occur, for example, in a pedestrian impact. This sensing is used to implement measures to improve pedestrian protection, for example, to move a front flap (hood) upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction) in order to determine the distance between the front flap and solid components arranged below it (e.g.an engine block) and to minimize physical damage to a person potentially impacting the hood. To achieve the widest possible sensing area (based on the entire vehicle width without exterior mirrors), bumper cross members are sometimes widened outwards from the vehicle longitudinal members as viewed in the vehicle's transverse direction (y-direction), primarily to enable sensing for pedestrian protection over more than 60% of the vehicle width, in particular over at least 70% or at least 80% of the vehicle width.

[0003] DE 10 2011 051 481 A1 discloses a bumper assembly comprising an upper and a lower bumper cross member, which are arranged one above the other and are each connected to the longitudinal member of a motor vehicle via separate deformation elements. The cross members have left and right end sections with free ends that protrude laterally beyond the deformation elements. In order to achieve load distribution from the plane of one bumper cross member to the plane of the other bumper, support elements in the form of plates are connected to the deformation elements and the end sections in such a way that a force-transmitting connection of the bumper cross members in the vertical direction of the vehicle is created. The support elements are attached to a central region of the deformation elements, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0004] A disadvantage of known bumper assemblies with bumper cross members—particularly as described in DE 10 2011 051 481 A1—is that, in collisions that result in the deformation of at least one deformation element, the outer regions projecting outward beyond the deformation elements in the transverse direction of the vehicle result in a relative movement of these outer regions rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As a result, components arranged behind these outer regions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are at risk of collision, which can lead to damage to these components. It is therefore necessary to leave a clearance extending at least over the compression length of the deformation element, or to accept damage to components arranged there.

[0005] From the generic JP 2009-248 603 A, a bumper assembly of a motor vehicle is known in which the two outer ends and of a bumper cross member are each firmly connected to a front end of a support element. The support element is fixed with its rear end to an outer side wall of a longitudinal member. Structurally similar designs are disclosed in the publications DE 10 2013 018 078 A1, JP 2015-189 408 A, and DE 10 2014 014 953 A1.

[0006] A disadvantage of the prior art designs known from the last-mentioned publications is that the support element must be designed to be relatively rigid in order to withstand the relatively high forces acting on it when necessary. This requires a lot of space, and the support element has a relatively high component weight.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a bumper arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, which enables a safe and at the same time space-saving arrangement of additional components in the area behind the end sections of the bumper cross members with little space and installation space requirement.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in conjunction with the dependent claims.

[0009] A bumper arrangement according to the invention comprises a bumper cross member which extends over a large part of the width of a motor vehicle (hereinafter also referred to simply as the vehicle). A large part of the width is considered to be a width of at least 50% of the total width of the vehicle (without exterior mirrors). The bumper cross member preferably extends over at least 70% of the vehicle width and more preferably over at least 80% of the vehicle width, in particular in order to implement sensing for pedestrian protection purposes over the widest possible area of ​​the vehicle. The bumper cross member further comprises at least one connection area to a deformation element (also referred to as a crash box or impact absorber) arranged to the rear of the bumper cross member for connecting the bumper cross member to a longitudinal member.The bumper cross member furthermore has at least one end section which, on at least one side in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), projects laterally outwards beyond the connection region. Furthermore, an installation space securing element is arranged on the bumper cross member and / or on the deformation element and / or on an element firmly connected to the bumper arrangement in such a way that when forces act on the bumper arrangement from the front at least partially in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction), which, due to a plastic deformation of the deformation element, cause a relative movement of the bumper cross member in the region of the deformation element (as viewed in the vehicle transverse direction) relative to the rear end of the deformation element (i.e. relative to the longitudinal member ora bulkhead plate arranged between the longitudinal member and the rear end of the deformation element), a relative movement of at least a partial region of the end section of the bumper arrangement relative to the bumper cross member in the region of the deformation element is brought about, at least partially in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, towards the front. The installation space securing element is preferably designed such that the relative movement of the partial region of the end section has an at least partially position-maintaining effect, ie that in the event of a collision, the displacement of the end section rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is reduced by a prior or at least simultaneous relative movement of the end section relative to another section of the bumper cross member.A 50 percent position retention occurs when, during a compression of a deformation element by the compression length S (this results in the bumper cross member approaching the rear end of the deformation element in the area immediately in front of the deformation element), the end section in a partial area adjoining this deformation element moves forward by half the compression length S / 2 relative to the area of ​​the bumper cross member immediately in front of the deformation element which moves by the compression length S. A complete, i.e. 100 percent position retention occurs when a compression is completely compensated for by a corresponding relative movement of a partial area of ​​an end section forward. At least 50 percent position retention is preferably realized, particularly preferably at least 70 percent position retention and further preferably at least 80 percent position retention.With a bumper arrangement according to the invention, with a wide sensing system for pedestrian protection, particularly efficient use of installation space can be achieved due to the installation space securing element, in that only a small safety distance (or even no safety distance at all if the position is completely maintained) needs to be maintained behind an end section for the arrangement of additional components. This is because a collision of the end section with a component arranged immediately behind the end section is avoided due to a relative movement towards the front caused by the installation space securing element, which at least partially maintains the position. For example, an end section can be designed to be foldable towards the front. The additional installation space made available by the arrangement according to the invention can be used, for example, for the arrangement of an additional radiator, a washer fluid reservoir, a fanfare horn or an auxiliary heater.Alternatively or in addition to this, the installation space can be used as additional scope for the design of a vehicle front end.

[0010] Furthermore, in a bumper arrangement according to the invention, at least one slot is formed as a profile weakening on the bumper cross member, viewed in the vehicle's transverse direction, in an inner region of the end section facing the connection area. The installation space securing element is arranged on the rear side of the end section of the bumper cross member, directly adjacent thereto, between the slot and a free end of the end section, and / or the installation space securing element is secured on the rear side of the end section of the bumper cross member between the slot and a free end of the end section.

[0011] In a practical embodiment of a bumper assembly according to the invention, the installation space securing element is arranged on a rear section of the deformation element, viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, or on an element rigidly connected to the rear section of a deformation element, and extends at least partially forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. An arrangement on a rear section, in particular at the rear end of the deformation element, is advantageous because this allows a position-maintaining relative movement to be induced with each compression of the deformation element in the area from the front end to the area where the installation space securing element is connected.In this respect, it is particularly preferred if the installation space securing element is connected to the rear end of the deformation element or to a component arranged behind it in the vehicle's longitudinal direction but firmly connected to the deformation element (or at least fixed relative to it in the vehicle's longitudinal direction). A completely position-maintaining relative movement can then be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner. In the present case, the rear section refers in particular to the section which, viewed from the rear side of the deformation element, extends over at least 50% of the length, preferably over 30%, particularly preferably over 10% of the length. The arrangement preferably involves a fixation which is at least rigid and non-rotatable, particularly preferably a fastening which is rigid and non-rotatable, for example by welding, crimping, riveting, gluing and / or screwing.

[0012] In order to effect an immediate relative movement of the end section relative to the rear side of the deformation element in a simple and cost-effective manner, the installation space securing element is (additionally) fixed to the rear of the bumper cross member, for example by being fixed with a front end to a rearwardly directed side of the bumper cross member, in particular to an end section of the bumper cross member and / or with a rear end to an element arranged further back in the vehicle longitudinal direction, in particular a rear end of a deformation element, a bulkhead plate or a longitudinal member.Furthermore, the end section should be designed in such a way that a relative movement with respect to a laterally adjoining region of the bumper cross member, in particular by bending or by pivoting about a hinge-like region, requires lower forces than a deformation of the installation space securing element, in particular as a compression of the installation space securing element.

[0013] The above design is realized by forming a (preferably recognizable) profile weakening of the bumper cross member in the region of the end section. Any recognizable local profile reduction is considered a profile weakening. In the invention, the profile weakening is realized by forming at least one slot, in particular at least partially in the vehicle's vertical direction, by locally reducing the height extending in the vehicle's vertical direction and / or the depth extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, as well as by partially selecting a different material and / or selecting a less rigid profile cross-sectional shape in the region of the profile weakening and / or in the region of a complete end section. This profile weakening creates a predetermined bending point on the bumper cross member, which promotes a desired relative forward movement of the end section in the event of a collision with compression of the deformation element.

[0014] A profile weakening is preferably formed, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, in an inner region of the end section facing the connection area. It is particularly preferred if the profile weakening is arranged as close as possible to a connection area, so that as large a portion of the end section as possible is designed to be relatively movable forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle due to the profile weakening serving as the desired bending point. It is particularly preferred in this respect if the portion extends over at least 70 percent, more preferably over at least 80 percent, and especially preferably over at least 90 percent of the end section.

[0015] In practice, a support element can be used as the installation space securing element, which is at least partially oriented in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and whose largest dimension is the length extending at least partially in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The length is preferably a multiple of the height and width, in particular 3 times, preferably 5 times, and more preferably 10 times. The support element is preferably designed such that it is not deformed or is only slightly deformed by the forces occurring during the collision, in order to bring about the greatest possible relative movement of the bumper cross member towards the front relative to the rear end of the deformation element (or relative to a bulkhead plate and / or a longitudinal member adjoining behind the deformation element).A relative movement of the bumper cross member relative to the rear end of the deformation element in the vehicle's longitudinal direction due to compression of the deformation element is intended to push the end section of the bumper cross member forward through the rearward action of the support element, if possible without the support element itself being bent or even at risk of breaking. For this purpose, the support element can be designed, in particular, as an extruded profile or as a formed part. It preferably has a profile that is open on one side, for example a C-shaped, U-shaped, or V-shaped profile, or a closed profile, e.g. a rectangular, round, or oval profile, and is designed as a hollow profile - particularly for weight and cost reasons.

[0016] In a particularly easy-to-manufacture and at the same time highly functionally reliable embodiment, the installation space securing element is firmly connected at the rear to the deformation element, a bulkhead plate, a longitudinal member and / or another element firmly connected to one of these components, and firmly connected at the front to the bumper cross member. The installation space securing element is preferably firmly connected to an end section of the bumper cross member. The installation space securing element can be easily and cost-effectively attached at the front and / or rear by welding, riveting, crimping, screwing or other methods, with spot welding being a particularly simple method in this case. It is important to have an attachment that ensures reliable relative movement forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction in the event of a collision with compression of the deformation element.

[0017] The bumper cross member is often designed as a one-piece, profiled component, for example as a substantially U-shaped support part. If a profile weakening is to be implemented in the form of a profile cross-sectional change, a bumper cross member of a bumper arrangement according to the invention can alternatively be manufactured simply and cost-effectively by producing the at least one end section as a separate element and connecting it to a central part of the bumper cross member, wherein the central part comprises two connection areas for deformation elements that are spaced apart from one another as viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In this case, the manufacturing process of an (originally less wide) bumper cross member does not have to be modified in order to achieve a bumper cross member that is widened for pedestrian protection, because the connection of the central part to one or more end sections can also be carried out subsequently.Bumper cross members are typically made of steel. The at least one separate end can be connected to the center section, for example, by a welded joint, a push-in joint, a press-in joint, and / or a screw connection. The connection point between the end section, manufactured as a separate element, and the center section of the bumper cross member itself represents a profile weakening and serves as a predetermined bending point.

[0018] In a bumper arrangement according to the invention, at least one slot is formed on the end section of the bumper cross member as a profile weakening. Such a slot can be created after or during manufacture of the bumper cross member with the end sections, for example, by machining. The slot should be designed to ensure sufficient rigidity for the bumper cross member to function as an abutment for pedestrian protection in the end sections, but to ensure that the installation space is secured when forces acting from the rear via the installation space securing element are as low as possible to cause a relative movement forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The formation of a slot is particularly favored for steel bumper cross members, where it also represents the most cost-effective variant for profile weakening.A slot can extend over at least 30% of the height of the bumper cross member, particularly relative to the area of ​​the end section in which the slot is formed. Such a slot preferably extends over at least 40%, particularly preferably over at least 50% of the height.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, an end section is designed to project laterally by at least 10 cm relative to the side of the deformation element facing the outer side of the vehicle (viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle). The end section is preferably designed to project by at least 15 cm, particularly preferably by at least 20 cm. The distance between the two outer sides of the deformation elements is typically between 95 cm and 105 cm, so that the minimum width of the bumper cross member with the end sections is between 115 cm and 165 cm, assuming a maximum projection of 30 cm per side.

[0020] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a bumper arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view from the front and from above, Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the section marked II in Fig. 1 in perspective view as in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 Section II according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view from behind and from above, Fig. 4 Section II according to Fig. 1 in a view from above, Fig. 5 shows a bumper arrangement known from the prior art after compression of a deformation element in a view from above, Fig. 6 the bumper arrangement according to the invention from the Fig. 1-4 after compression of a deformation element in a view from above, Fig. 7 shows a non-inventive embodiment of a bumper arrangement in a perspective view from the front and from above.

[0021] In the Fig. 1-4 and 6, a bumper assembly 10 according to the invention is shown in a first embodiment. The bumper assembly 10 comprises a bumper cross member 12 with two connection areas 14 formed at the rear—as viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction—to a deformation element 16 located behind it in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Adjoining the deformation element 16 at the rear is a so-called bulkhead plate 28, which serves as a connecting element for a connection to a longitudinal member (not shown) arranged behind it.

[0022] In the embodiment shown, the bumper cross member 12 comprises a central portion 30 extending between the two connection areas 14 to the deformation elements 16, and end portions 18 with free ends 32 that—as viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle—project laterally relative to the connection areas 14. In the embodiment shown, the end portions 18 are formed integrally with the central portion 30 of the bumper cross member 12. In the embodiment shown, the bumper cross member 12 is made of a steel material. However, it can also be made of any other materials.

[0023] As in all Fig. 1-4 and 6, a slot 20 serving as a profile weakening 34 is formed in the end sections 18 adjacent to the connection areas 14.

[0024] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 it can also be seen that, as a further profile weakening 34, the height of the end section 18 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle is reduced in an outer partial area of ​​the end section 18 to a value H80 reduced to 80 percent.

[0025] A support element 22 extends between the deformation elements 16 and the end sections 18 as an installation space securing element 36. The support element 22 is designed as a C-shaped, open profile (cf. Fig. 4). Furthermore, the support element 22 is connected at the front to the bumper cross member 12 and at the rear to a rear end 24 of the deformation element 16, whereby in this case a welded connection was realized by simple spot welding. Alternatively or additionally, the support element 22 can also be firmly connected to the bulkhead plate 28.

[0026] The slot 20 serving as profile weakening 34 and the height H80 reduced as profile weakening 34 in a partial area of ​​the end section 18 are both located, viewed in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), between the force application point of the support element 22 at the rear of the end section 18 and the nearest connection area 14 to the deformation element 16. In the event of a relative movement of the end section 18 relative to the rear end 24 of the deformation element 16 - triggered by the support element 22 serving as installation space securing element 34 - both of the above-mentioned profile weakenings 34 serve to reduce the forces causing the relative movement.

[0027] In Fig. 3, the slot 20 can be seen particularly well, which is formed in the end section 18 in an area of ​​the bumper cross member 12 which has a U-shaped profile, with the opening of the "U" facing forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The slot 20 is formed at the rear in the middle part of the end section 18, as viewed in the vehicle's vertical direction, and extends over the entire profile depth extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, i.e. it extends from an upper surface which delimits the "U" at the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction to a lower surface which delimits the "U" at the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction in the same way. The slot 20 therefore also extends over a large part of the height of the bumper cross member 12 in the area of ​​the end section 18, where the slot 20 is formed.

[0028] In Fig. 4, L denotes the length over which the end section 18 projects from the outer side of the deformation element 16, viewed in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction). The length L shown here is approximately 25 cm on each side. The length of the central part 30, which extends between the outer sides of the deformation elements 16, is Fig. 1-4 and 6, the width of the bumper cross member 12 is approximately 105 cm, and the total width of the vehicle (without exterior mirrors) is approximately 170 cm. Thus, the bumper cross member 12, measured between the free ends 32, extends over approximately 91 percent of the vehicle width with a width of approximately 155 cm.

[0029] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a bumper arrangement 10 according to the prior art ( Fig. 5) and the bumper arrangement 10 according to the invention according to the Fig. 1-4 are each shown in a top view after compression of the left deformation element 16 as viewed in the direction of travel. For identical or at least functionally equivalent elements, Fig. 5 and in Fig. 7 (concerning a further embodiment) the same reference numerals as above are used. In order to explain the operation and advantages of the invention in more detail, behind the respective left end section 18 of the respective bumper cross member 12 in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows an example of a component 26 which was arranged at a distance from the left end section 18 before the compression.

[0030] The Fig. The bumper cross member 12 shown in Figure 5 according to the prior art is essentially identical to the bumper cross member 12 described above, with the difference that no profile weakening 34 is formed on this bumper cross member 12 and no installation space securing element 36 is provided. As in Fig. 5, this leads to the end sections 18 (here shown using the example of the left end section 18) being displaced rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction together with the entire bumper cross member 12 in the event of compression of the adjacent deformation element 16 (here shown using the example of the left deformation element 16). Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, the clearance between the left end section 18 and the component 26 arranged behind it in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle was insufficient, so that the left end section 18 penetrated with its free end 32 from the front into this component 26 or collided with this component 26.

[0031] In comparison, the following is used in conjunction with Fig. 6 describes the operation of a bumper arrangement 10 according to the invention using the example of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the support element 22 serving as the installation space securing element 36 causes a relative forward movement of the end section 18 in the partial area extending outward from the slot 20 in the transverse direction of the vehicle during compression of the deformation element 16, so that a collision of this partial area with the component 26 arranged behind it is counteracted. This has the advantage that more installation space can be used behind the partial area without having to expect a collision of this partial area in the event of compression of the deformation element 16. If the bumper arrangement 10 is designed for complete position retention, a component 26 can theoretically be arranged directly behind a partial area of ​​a bumper cross member extending outward from a profile weakening 34.In practice, at least small safety distances of approximately 10 mm to 50 mm will be maintained in order to avoid contact with the component 26 in the event of operational vibrations and / or other loads (e.g. temperature expansion, deflection due to acceleration forces and / or small impact forces such as parking bumps, etc.).

[0032] Fig.7 shows an embodiment of a bumper assembly 10 not according to the invention. The bumper cross member 12 of this bumper assembly 10 again comprises end sections 18 projecting outward laterally from a central section 30. In this embodiment, however, the end sections 18 are manufactured as separate elements. These are firmly connected to the central section 30 of the bumper cross member 12. Connection regions 14 for deformation elements 16 are again formed on the central section 30. In this embodiment, the end sections 18 are designed such that, viewed in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction), they have a profile height H60 as a profile weakening 34 that is approximately 40 percent reduced compared to the adjoining central section 30 of the bumper cross member 12.This facilitates forward bending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction when, in the event of compression of the deformation element 16, the support element 22—again fixedly arranged on the front side of the bulkhead plate 28 and the rear side of the end section 18—exerts a force from behind onto the end section 18. The functionality of the bumper assembly is analogous to the embodiment described above.

[0033] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the responsible person skilled in the art. In this respect, it is once again pointed out that the end sections 18 can be mounted not only in a partial area, but also completely in a relatively movable manner by an installation space securing element 36. Even if the invention in the two embodiments described in detail and shown in the figures has foldable end sections 18, i.e. end sections 18 that can be pivoted forwards about profile weakenings 34, the invention is not limited to pivotable end sections 18.The sections can also be connected in a translationally displaceable manner or in a combined translationally and rotationally displaceable manner or can be designed to be completely detachable from a central part 30 or an end section 18. List of reference symbols 10 Bumper arrangement 12 bumper cross members 14 Connection area 16 Deformation element 18 final section 20 slots 22 Support element 24 rear end (of the deformation element) 26 component 28 bulkhead plate 30 Middle section 32 free end 34 Profile weakening 36 Installation space securing element

Claims

[1] Bumper arrangement with a bumper cross member (12) for a motor vehicle, wherein the bumper cross member (12) extends over a large part of the width of the motor vehicle, wherein the bumper cross member (12) comprises at least one connection area (14) to a deformation element (16) arranged at the rear of the bumper cross member (12) for connecting the bumper cross member (12) to a longitudinal member, wherein the bumper cross member (12) has at least one end section (18) which is designed to project laterally outwards over the connection area (14) in the transverse direction of the vehicle, wherein a space-securing element (36) is arranged on the bumper cross member (12) and / or on the deformation element (16) and / or on an element firmly connected to the bumper arrangement (10) in such a way that, upon the action of forces acting at least partially in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the front on the bumper arrangement (10), which, due to a plastic deformation of the deformation element (16), cause a relative movement of the bumper cross member (12) in the region of the deformation element (16) relative to the rear end (24) of the deformation element (16), a relative movement of at least a partial region of the end section (18) of the bumper arrangement (10) relative to the bumper cross member (12) in the region of the deformation element (16) is caused, at least partially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, forwards, characterized by , that on the bumper cross member (12), viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, at least one slot (20) is formed as a profile weakening (34) in an inner region of the end section (18) facing the connection region (14), and the installation space securing element (36) is arranged on the rear side of the end section (18) of the bumper cross member (12) directly adjacent thereto between the slot (20) and a free end (32) of the end section (18) and / or the installation space securing element (36) is fixed on the rear side of the end section (18) of the bumper cross member (12) between the slot (20) and a free end (32) of the end section (18). [2] Bumper arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized byin that the installation space securing element (36) is arranged on a rear section of the deformation element (16) viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction and / or on an element fixedly connected to a rear section of the deformation element (16) and extends at least partially forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction towards the rear of the end section (18). [3] Bumper arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the installation space securing element (36) is a support element (22) which is at least partially oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction and whose largest dimension is the length extending at least partially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [4] Bumper arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the installation space securing element (36) is firmly connected at the rear to the deformation element (16), a bulkhead plate (28), the longitudinal member and / or another element firmly connected to one of these components and the installation space securing element (36) is firmly connected at the front to the bumper cross member (12). [5] Bumper arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the at least one end section (18) is produced as a separate element and is connected to a central part (30) of the bumper cross member (12), wherein the central part (30) comprises two connecting regions (14) for deformation elements (16) which are spaced apart from one another as viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle. [6] Bumper arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the end section (18) is designed to project laterally by at least 10 cm relative to the side of the deformation element (16) facing the outside of the vehicle, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

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