Resilient Bumper with Integrated Marking Fluid Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collisions between ground service equipment vehicles and aircraft can go undetected, particularly affecting the fuselage structure, and existing solutions do not facilitate easy and rapid replacement of bumper systems to assess damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle bumper with resilient material containing marking fluid cells that open under pressure to mark the impact area, allowing for rapid identification of damage and easy replacement by separating the resilient part from the structural part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a marking system is integrated into the bumper to detect collision damage, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marking fluid cell is designed as a disposable component that is integrated into the bumper. Upon collision, the cell breaks and releases marking fluid to indicate damage location. After use, the entire cell is discarded and replaced, eliminating the need for complex sensors, electronics, or reusable marking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking function is merged directly into the bumper structure itself. The marking fluid cell is integrated within the bumper housing, combining the protective bumper function with the detection function in a single unified component, thereby avoiding additional separate detection systems.
2Ease of repair
If the bumper is designed for rapid replacement to restore vehicle function, then the ease of repair is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is segmented into distinct modular components: a reusable structural housing and a replaceable marking fluid cell assembly. This segmentation allows the cell to be independently replaced without replacing the entire bumper, facilitating rapid repair while maintaining standardized manufacturing tolerances for the interface between components.
3Measurement precision
If marking fluid cells are distributed transversely across the bumper width, then the measurement precision of impact location is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple marking fluid cells are distributed at different transverse positions across the bumper width, with each cell responsible for detecting impacts in its specific local zone. This creates a spatial map of impact locations, improving precision while maintaining simple individual cell structures that can be manufactured and assembled using straightforward procedures.
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
Enables rapid and easy restoration of vehicle functionality by marking collision areas, allowing for immediate assessment of damage and swift repair or return to service.
Implementation Method 1
at least one part made of resilient material
Implementation Method 2
under the effect of a pressure applied, can open up the opening, allowing the marking fluid to access the exterior of the cell through which it can flow
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle bumper comprising at least one part made of resilient material, in the interior of which there is provided at least one marking fluid cell with an opening to the exterior. The opening is closed by a closure device which, under the effect of a pressure applied with a determined intensity, can open up the opening, allowing the marking fluid to access the exterior of the cell through which the marking fluid can flow, and also comprising a securing element configured to secure the at least one part on the vehicle.