Adaptive Vehicle Bumper Ribs for Speed-Dependent Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle bumper systems are not adaptable to meet the conflicting requirements of low-speed damageability and pedestrian protection, necessitating a system that can switch between a stiff bumper for low-speed scenarios and a softer bumper for higher-speed pedestrian protection scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive energy absorber system with hingedly attached ribs and a motorized pulley or linear actuator mechanism that adjusts the angle of the ribs in response to vehicle speed, allowing the bumper to change its energy absorption characteristics between low-speed and high-speed scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bumper system is designed to be stiff to meet low-speed damageability requirements, then vehicle component damage is minimized at low speeds, but pedestrian leg injury risk increases at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system transitions from a static stiffness configuration to a dynamic one by using motorized actuators to adjust the energy absorber engagement. The system can change its mechanical properties in real-time based on detected vehicle speed, allowing it to be stiff at low speeds and softer at higher speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between protecting vehicle components and protecting pedestrians
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of bumper stiffness by adjusting the engagement state of the energy absorber. Through parameter changes in the mechanical configuration (engaged vs. disengaged state), the bumper adapts its energy absorption characteristics to match different speed scenarios, reducing pedestrian injury risk at higher speeds while maintaining component protection at low speeds
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bumper system is designed to be soft to meet pedestrian protection requirements, then pedestrian leg injury risk is reduced at higher speeds, but vehicle component damage increases at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic adjustment mechanisms (motorized actuators and linkages) to change the bumper's mechanical configuration based on operating conditions. This allows the bumper to be soft when needed for pedestrian protection and stiff when needed for component protection, eliminating the need to choose one fixed configuration over the other
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating an adjustable energy absorber that can serve different purposes based on its engagement state. The same physical structure can provide both high stiffness (when disengaged) and high energy absorption (when engaged), making it universally applicable to both low-speed and high-speed scenarios
3Device complexity
If a fixed stiffness bumper system is used, then the system is simple in structure, but it cannot adapt to different crash scenario requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic elements (motorized actuators, linkages, and control mechanisms) that allow the bumper to adapt its configuration based on detected conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to respond to different crash scenarios while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated structure, balancing complexity with adaptability
4Adaptability or versatility
If an adaptive bumper system with adjustable energy absorber is used, then scenario adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that enable it to automatically detect crash scenarios and adjust its configuration without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems while maintaining high adaptability to different scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptive energy absorber mechanism is integrated into the existing bumper structure, merging multiple functions (energy absorption, stiffness adjustment, scenario detection) into a single unified system. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorption system comprises a vehicle bumper, an energy absorption member attached to the vehicle bumper, and a plurality of ribs having respective first ends that are hingedly attached to the energy absorption member. The ribs extend between the energy absorption member and the bumper. The ribs may be actuated based on the speed information from the onboard vehicle communication network.