Bumper Assembly Airflow Management via Energy Absorption Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive bumper designs face challenges in providing adequate airflow to heat exchangers while satisfying collision and stylistic requirements, often restricting vehicle styling due to the placement of fascia inlets relative to bumper beams.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an energy absorption member between the fascia and bumper beam with air passages that direct airflow from the exterior to the interior, allowing a portion of the airflow to reach the heat exchanger, while maintaining structural integrity and stylistic freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional bumper design is used with fascia inlet placement, then structural integrity and collision performance are maintained, but airflow to heat exchanger is insufficient and vehicle styling is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the fascia assembly with inlet, the energy absorption member with integrated air passages, and the bumper beam. This segmentation allows the air passage to be positioned within the energy absorption member to divert airflow, while the fascia inlet can be placed in stylistically appropriate locations without compromising airflow delivery to the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption member acts as an intermediary component between the fascia assembly and the bumper beam. It incorporates air passages that serve as intermediate flow paths, capturing airflow from the fascia inlet and redirecting it toward the heat exchanger location, thereby mediating the airflow distribution while maintaining structural functions.
2Quantity of substance
If fascia inlet is positioned to maximize airflow, then heat exchanger cooling is improved, but bumper structural performance and collision requirements are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is segmented into distinct sections: an inlet portion within the fascia, a passage portion through the energy absorption member, and an outlet portion directing flow to the heat exchanger. This segmentation allows the fascia inlet to be positioned for optimal styling and structural performance while the air passage ensures adequate airflow delivery through the energy absorption member to the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption member serves as an intermediary structure that incorporates the air passage. This intermediary component captures airflow from the fascia inlet and guides it through the energy absorption member to the heat exchanger, ensuring that collision performance requirements are met while maintaining adequate airflow quantity.
3Ease of operation
If energy absorption member is added between fascia and bumper beam, then airflow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage function is merged with the energy absorption member structure. The energy absorption member simultaneously provides collision energy absorption and houses the air passage for airflow control. This merging eliminates the need for separate airflow control components, thereby improving airflow control capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption member is designed with multi-functionality: it provides structural support during collisions, absorbs impact energy, and houses the air passage for airflow control. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions, improving airflow control without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures adequate airflow to heat exchangers while meeting performance and stylistic requirements, providing flexibility in vehicle design and enhancing airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorption member disposed between the fascia and the bumper beam
Implementation Method 2
An air passage extends through at least one of the bumper beam and the energy absorption member. The air passage extends from an air passage inlet to an air passage outlet.
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger disposed aft of the bumper beam
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle includes a body having fore and aft portions. The vehicle includes a bumper beam coupled to the vehicle body proximate the fore portion and a heat exchanger disposed aft of the bumper beam. A fascia assembly is coupled to the vehicle body and extends about the bumper beam. The fascia assembly includes a fascia inlet configured to direct an airflow from the exterior of the fascia assembly to the interior of the fascia assembly. An energy absorption member is disposed between the fascia and the bumper beam. An air passage extends through at least one of the bumper beam and the energy absorption member. The air passage extends from an air passage inlet to an air passage outlet. The air passage inlet is positioned downstream of the fascia inlet with respect to the airflow, and the air passage outlet being positioned upstream of the heat exchanger.