Front Bumper Support Frame for Secure Shock Absorber Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bumper systems for motor vehicles face challenges in optimizing the support between the bumper skin frame and shock absorber, particularly in terms of maintenance, assembly, transportation, and cost efficiency, while also ensuring safety during pedestrian collisions.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a bumper system assembly with a holding frame that includes a transverse receiving zone and a fixing device with multiple holding portions, which stably secures the shock absorber, facilitating easy assembly and transportation while optimizing costs. The assembly features a junction portion and additional holding portions that extend vertically to securely position the shock absorber, reducing the risk of accidental disassembly and allowing for efficient production of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single holding portion is used to attach the shock absorber to the bumper skin frame, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection is insufficient and accidental disassembly may occur during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidfixing device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple holding portions (first holding portion at the top, second holding portion at the bottom, and joining portion connecting them) into a single integrated fixing device structure. This merging approach maintains connection reliability through multiple attachment points while avoiding the complexity of separate fastening mechanisms, as all holding portions form one unified component attached to the bumper skin frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing device extends vertically across multiple dimensions of the bumper skin frame, with holding portions positioned at different vertical levels (top and bottom). This vertical dimensionality provides redundant connection points that prevent disassembly during transport, while the joining portion connects these vertically separated elements into a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the bumper system components are designed for easy assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcomponent fit precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper system is segmented into distinct components (bumper skin, frame, shock absorber, fixing device) that can be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and then easily assembled. The fixing device itself is segmented into multiple holding portions that can independently engage with the frame, providing easy assembly without requiring high-precision fit between all components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing device acts as an intermediary component that simplifies assembly by providing pre-formed holding portions that interface with both the bumper skin frame and shock absorber. This intermediary structure mediates the connection between components, allowing easier assembly while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision through standardized connection geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple holding portions are added to the fixing device, then the stability of the shock absorber is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorber stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple holding portions are merged into a single integrated fixing device component rather than being separate parts. This combining approach provides enhanced stability through multiple attachment points while avoiding the cumulative cost of manufacturing and assembling multiple separate components, as the holding portions are formed as one piece attached to the bumper skin frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing device with multiple holding portions serves multiple functions simultaneously: it attaches the shock absorber to the frame, provides stability during transport, and enables easy assembly. This multi-functionality justifies the manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4406787A1Front bumper of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4406787A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4406787A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4406787A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (18) for a motor vehicle bumper system (16), the assembly comprising: a bumper skin (24); a support frame (30) for the bumper skin. The support frame comprises: a transverse receiving area (44) for a shock absorber (34), a fastening device (42) for the shock absorber. The fastening device comprises a first retaining portion (46), a connecting portion (58) extending below the first retaining portion, and a second retaining portion (48) extending from the connecting portion (58), the transverse receiving area extending vertically between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.