Bumper Arrangement with Oblique Support Element for Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bumper arrangements for motor vehicles are inefficient in absorbing collision energy due to concentrated force transmission, which leads to high material usage and limited energy absorption capacity, as support elements can only yield through buckling and lateral deformation, resulting in minimal resistance.
Innovation Solution
A bumper arrangement featuring a crash box with an obliquely extending support element and a connection portion anchored in the middle, which discourages buckling and lateral yielding, allowing for efficient energy absorption by compressing the support element, and utilizing extruded sections with varying wall thicknesses to transmit forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support elements are fastened to the bumper cross member or crash box through bolts at their end pieces, then the support elements can be securely attached, but the force transmission becomes concentrated on small wall regions, requiring high wall thickness to avoid bolt tearing out
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is divided into multiple connection regions along the support element, distributing the attachment points from a single end-piece connection to multiple distributed connections. This segmentation spreads the force transmission over larger wall regions, reducing localized stress concentration and allowing thinner wall thickness while maintaining attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the support element, transforming the connection from a point-like end-piece attachment to a distributed linear connection. This dimensional change from point to line distribution effectively increases the contact area and force distribution along the support element length.
2Use of energy by moving object
If support elements are allowed to buckle and yield laterally under loading, then the support elements can deform to absorb energy, but the resistance to deformation becomes minor, resulting in small energy absorption relative to material used
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is pre-configured to provide lateral support to the support element at multiple points along its length. This preliminary structural support prevents buckling and lateral yielding before they can occur during collision, forcing the support element to compress axially instead. The connection portion acts as a pre-established constraint that guides the deformation mode toward efficient compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters by adding the connection portion with multiple connection regions, which fundamentally alters the deformation behavior from buckling-dominated to compression-dominated. This parameter change in the structural configuration transforms the energy absorption mechanism to be more efficient and material-effective.
3Strength
If a connection portion is added to anchor the support element along its middle region, then buckling and lateral yielding are restricted and compression is promoted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is merged with either the crash box or the support element as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. This merging eliminates the need for separate bracing structures and integrates the anti-buckling function into the existing structural elements, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral support to prevent buckling, distributes force transmission along the support element, and anchors the support element to the crash box or bumper cross member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper arrangement includes a bumper cross member, at least one crash box, which extends in a longitudinal direction and of which a front end is fastened to the bumper cross member, at least one support element extending along an outside of the crash box obliquely to the longitudinal direction, and a connection portion (8, 9), which is anchored on the crash box and at least on a with respect to the longitudinal direction middle region of the support element.