Bumper Reinforcement Tow Hook Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bumper reinforcement technologies face challenges in reducing weight and manufacturing cost while maintaining strength, particularly due to the need for independent tow hook attachment members and increased welding or component sizes for attachment.

Innovation Solution

The integration of cylindrical protrusions with threaded portions directly formed into the tubular body of the bumper reinforcement, allowing for removable tow hook attachment without additional components, reduces the need for welding or additional parts, thereby minimizing weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an independent tow hook attachment member is attached to the tubular body by welding, then the tow hook can be securely attached, but the welding length must be increased to ensure sufficient endurance strength, which increases weight and manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendurance strength of tow hook attachmentVSAvoidweight of bumper reinforcement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tow hook attachment structure is merged with the tubular body itself, eliminating the need for a separate attachment member. The cylindrical protrusions are integrally formed with the tubular body, combining the structural functions into a single component that reduces overall weight while maintaining attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment structure is segmented into cylindrical protrusions that are strategically positioned on the tubular body. These protrusions provide localized attachment points that distribute mechanical loads effectively, ensuring sufficient endurance strength without requiring extensive welding across the entire attachment member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an independent tow hook attachment member is attached by welding, then the tow hook can be securely attached, but the welding cost and size of the attachment member increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strength of tow hook attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of bumper reinforcement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure is integrated directly into the tubular body through integral forming of cylindrical protrusions, eliminating the need for separate attachment members and associated welding operations. This merging reduces both manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable tow hook attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment functionality is extracted from a separate component and embedded directly into the tubular body structure. By taking out the independent attachment member concept and integrating the attachment features directly into the main body, the patent eliminates welding requirements and reduces manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a block-shaped tow hook attachment member is used, then the tow hook can be attached, but additional components such as bolts and nuts are required, increasing weight and manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to attach tow hookVSAvoidnumber of components in attachment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure merges multiple functions into the cylindrical protrusions themselves, which serve as both the mounting feature and the attachment interface. This eliminates the need for separate bolts, nuts, and other fastening components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to securely attach the tow hook.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical protrusions serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement, serve as mounting features for the tow hook, and distribute mechanical loads. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated attachment components, reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining adaptability for tow hook attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9365085B2Bumper reinforcement and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 KOBE STEEL LTD

AI summary

A bumper reinforcement includes a tubular body including a front wall that serves as an impact surface and a rear wall on a vehicle body side, the tubular body extending in a vehicle width direction and having a hollow cross section; and a tow hook attachment structure for allowing a tow hook to be removably attached thereto. The tow hook attachment structure includes a pair of cylindrical protrusions respectively integrally formed with the front and rear walls of the tubular body by shaping parts of the walls, the cylindrical protrusions being disposed at predetermined positions on the front and rear walls in the vehicle width direction so as to face each other and so as to protrude inward into the hollow cross section, and at least one of the pair of protrusions includes a threaded portion for allowing a threaded portion of the tow hook to be screwed thereinto.