Bumper Reinforcement Joined Part Break-off Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bumper reinforcements face challenges in achieving both anti-collision performance and lightweightness, as increased material strength leads to break-off at joined parts due to localized weakening of welds and increased collision loads, which reduces energy absorption efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first member with a flat sheet and upstanding parts, and a second member with a top plate, vertical walls, and upstanding parts, which are joined to enhance the rigidity of both members, reducing out-of-plane deformation and the likelihood of break-off during collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the material strength of the BR is increased to improve anti-collision performance, then the strength of the BR increases, but the strength of the joined part by welding decreases locally due to additive elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of the BRVSAvoidstrength of the joined part
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement plates at specific locations where strength is needed (joined parts and upstanding parts) rather than uniformly increasing the material strength throughout the entire BR. This allows the base material to maintain lower strength (avoiding weld degradation from additive elements) while critical areas receive localized strengthening through the reinforcement plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the material strength of the BR is increased to improve anti-collision performance, then the strength of the BR increases, but the load on the joined part increases due to constant deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of the BRVSAvoidload on the joined part
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement plates are installed in advance at critical locations (joined parts and upstanding parts) before collision occurs. This preliminary strengthening prepares the structure to handle the increased loads that will result from higher material strength, distributing the collision forces more effectively and preventing concentrated stress at the joined parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the shape of the panel is contrived to improve energy absorption efficiency, then the energy absorption performance improves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy absorption efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BR into distinct functional components: the base panel structure for overall energy absorption, and separate reinforcement plates for localized strengthening. This segmentation allows the panel shape to be optimized for energy absorption while the reinforcement plates are added only where structurally necessary, avoiding unnecessary complexity in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3321137B1Bumper reinforcement and vehicle provided with same
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP3321137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3321137B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3321137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bumper reinforcement (10) includes a first member (1), and a second member (2). The first member (1) includes a flat plate part (11), and two first upstanding parts (12). The first upstanding parts (12) are respectively connected to two side edges of the flat plate part (11). The second member (2) includes a top plate part (24), two vertical wall parts (22), two flange parts (21), and two second upstanding parts (23). The vertical wall parts (22) are respectively connected to two side edges of the top plate part (24). The flange parts (21) are respectively connected to the two vertical wall parts (22). The second upstanding parts (23) are respectively connected to side edges of the two flange parts (21), and are provided so as to correspond to the first upstanding parts (23). The two flange parts (21) of the second member (2) are joined with the flat plate part (11) of the first member (1). The first upstanding parts (23) stand up toward the second member (2) side.