Bumper Reinforcement Groove Design for Impact Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper reinforcement members face challenges in achieving stable energy absorption and peak load without increasing manufacturing costs or vehicle weight, particularly in light automobiles where design flexibility and weight limits are stringent.
Innovation Solution
A bumper reinforcement member with a hollow section design featuring a large groove and a small groove of channel-shaped cross sections, where the small groove is encompassed by the large groove, allowing opposing deformations to enhance energy absorption and peak load while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure, suitable for sheet-metal manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vertical walls are spaced greatly apart to allow buckling deformation, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but the vertical walls fail to interfere with each other during deformation, reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper reinforcement member is divided into multiple vertical walls (first, second, third, and fourth vertical walls) with different heights arranged in a specific sequence. This segmentation allows each wall to deform independently while maintaining controlled interference patterns that stabilize the overall deformation process and improve energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vertical walls are given different heights to create localized variations in deformation characteristics. The first and second vertical walls have different heights, as do the third and fourth vertical walls, allowing specific regions to absorb energy at different stages of impact, thereby stabilizing the overall energy absorption process.
2Loss of energy
If the bumper reinforcement member is made larger to increase energy absorption, then energy absorption amount is improved, but vehicle weight and design flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper reinforcement member features a nested structure where horizontal walls connect vertical walls of different heights, creating a compact multi-level configuration. This nesting allows the structure to achieve high energy absorption capacity within a limited spatial envelope, avoiding excessive vehicle weight while maintaining design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical dimensionality by creating vertical walls of different heights rather than simply expanding the horizontal footprint. This dimensional approach allows the bumper to absorb more energy within the same vehicle front-end space, avoiding weight penalties associated with larger overall dimensions.
3Loss of energy
If the bumper reinforcement member is made larger to increase energy absorption, then energy absorption amount is improved, but manufacturing cost and design variety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into modular vertical and horizontal wall sections that can be configured in different height combinations. This modular segmentation allows for varied energy absorption characteristics without requiring completely different structural designs, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving design variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal walls serve multiple functions: they connect vertical walls, provide structural support, and create the nested configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving complex energy absorption behavior.
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
The design effectively increases peak load and gross energy absorption while preventing enlargement and cost increments, offering a high variety of designs and maintaining a lightweight, cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
The bumper reinforcement member absorbs impact by deforming a hollow section (plastic deform of a face that forms the section)
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper reinforcement member 1 includes a small groove 2 and a large groove 3. The large groove 3 is arranged to encompass the small groove 2 inside the groove. When the bumper reinforcement member 1 is deformed, directions of the deformation of the lateral face of the small groove and the deformation of the lateral face of the large groove are oppose to each other, and thus the peak load and the energy absorption amount of the bumper reinforcement member 1 can be increased with a simple configuration.