Vehicle Bumper Assembly Flexible Fins Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbing vehicle bumper systems face inefficiencies due to the use of heavy steel beams and added weight from shock absorbers, which reduce fuel efficiency and do not effectively manage impact energy, with known systems achieving less than 50% energy absorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle bumper assembly featuring an energy absorber with a deformable structure of flexible fins mounted to the vehicle frame, a step pad, and a bumper fascia, which allows for efficient energy absorption by flexing under load, reducing the need for additional weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel beams are used as bumpers, then structural strength and rigidity are provided, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is divided into separate functional components: a rigid rail structure for strength, foam energy absorbers for impact management, and shock absorbers for additional energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring the entire bumper to be heavy steel.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper system uses composite construction combining steel rails with foam energy absorbers and mechanical shock absorbers. This composite approach provides the necessary structural strength from the steel rails while using lighter foam and mechanical components for energy absorption, reducing overall weight compared to a solid steel beam design.
2Loss of energy
If shock absorbers are added to absorb impact energy, then energy absorption improves, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines foam energy absorbers and mechanical shock absorbers into a single integrated bumper assembly. The foam is positioned within the bumper structure while shock absorbers are mounted between the bumper and vehicle body, creating a unified system that absorbs impact energy through multiple mechanisms without requiring separate complex subsystems.
3Loss of energy
If foam energy absorbers are used with steel beams, then some impact energy is absorbed, but efficiency remains below 50% due to slow loading and high displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system incorporates shock absorbers with damping mechanisms that dynamically adjust to impact forces. The shock absorbers provide controlled resistance during impact events, optimizing the energy absorption rate and improving efficiency by managing the loading speed and displacement characteristics of the energy absorption system.
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 proposed solution enhances energy absorption efficiency, reduces weight, and maintains structural integrity while minimizing added cost, achieving improved fuel efficiency and effective impact energy management.
Implementation Method 1
The deformation structure may be in the form of flexible fins which are disposed in a substantially diagonal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle bumper assembly is provided having an energy absorber, a bracket, a step pad and a bumper fascia. The energy absorber includes an upper horizontal surface wherein the upper horizontal surface may define a deformable structure. The deformable structure may be in the form of flexible fins. The bracket may be mounted to the vehicle frame on a first end of the bracket and the energy absorber affixed to a second end of the bracket. The step pad may be affixed to the energy absorber. The bumper fascia may be affixed to either or both the step pad and the energy absorber.