Bumper Reinforcement Gradual Narrowing V-Shape Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper reinforcements for vehicles face issues with increased manufacturing costs and potential fracture at intermediate portions due to complex designs and component complexity, which affect their ability to absorb impact energy effectively during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A bumper reinforcement designed with an extruded aluminum alloy member extending in the width direction, featuring end portions connected to a longitudinal connecting member, with a main wall and flanges that gradually narrow from the intermediate to the end portions, enhancing bending strength and reducing the risk of deformation into a V-shape during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the section width of the bumper reinforcement is decreased from end portions to intermediate portion, then the impact energy absorption is improved, but the bending strength at intermediate portion deteriorates causing V-shape deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper reinforcement features a non-uniform cross-sectional configuration where the wall thickness and structural dimensions are locally optimized. Specifically, the first and second walls have different thicknesses, and the cross-sectional area varies along the longitudinal direction to provide enhanced strength at the intermediate portion while maintaining energy absorption capability at the ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper reinforcement utilizes a composite structural design combining multiple wall sections (first wall, second wall) with different thicknesses and material properties. This composite structure allows the intermediate portion to have superior bending strength while the end portions maintain optimized geometry for impact energy absorption.
2Shape
If the end portions are diagonally cut to conform to design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the bending strength at end portions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end portions of the bumper reinforcement feature a localized structural optimization where the cross-sectional configuration is specifically designed to compensate for the weakening effect of diagonal cutting. The first and second walls at the end portions have enhanced thickness or structural support to maintain bending strength while achieving the desired aesthetic appearance.
3Strength
If a reinforcement member is attached to the end portions to compensate for strength loss, then the bending strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper reinforcement is designed as an integrated monolithic structure where the first wall, second wall, and connecting portions are formed as a single piece. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate reinforcement members and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the necessary bending strength through optimized internal geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves the required bending strength by changing the geometric parameters of the bumper reinforcement itself, such as varying the wall thickness, cross-sectional area, and structural configuration along its length, rather than adding separate reinforcement components.
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper reinforcement having end portions in a width direction of a vehicle, includes a main wall extending in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction, first and second walls protruding from the main wall in the first direction to extend toward an interior side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, flanges protruding from respective ends of the first and second walls along the first direction, the main wall, the first and second walls, and the flanges being integrally formed with one another, and gradually narrowing portions formed, in the width direction, at end portions of each of the first and second walls, wherein respective protruding lengths of the first and second walls in the longitudinal direction gradually decrease from an intermediate portion of the bumper reinforcement to the end portions of the bumper reinforcement in the width direction to form the gradually narrowing portions.