Bumper Beam Reinforcement Plate for Variable Towing Socket Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The diversity of modular reinforcements required for different bumper beam heights and types increases production costs and complexity for vehicle manufacturers, as each configuration necessitates unique designs to accommodate towing sockets, complicating the harmonization and simplification of production systems.

Innovation Solution

A modular reinforcement device with a Platinum featuring a curvilinear extension greater than its width, allowing the fixation of a towing socket through a plate with an oblong and rectilinear light that ensures the fixing orifice remains accessible regardless of the bumper beam's position, eliminating the need for multiple reinforcement designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modular reinforcements are produced for different bumper beam heights and types, then each configuration can accommodate towing sockets correctly, but production costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different bumper beam configurationsVSAvoidnumber of different reinforcement designs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is designed with a curved opening that can accommodate towing sockets at various positions relative to the bumper beam height. The curved shape of the opening allows it to adapt to different SAC types and bumper beam configurations without requiring multiple specialized plate designs, thus achieving universality across different vehicle models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement device is divided into separate functional elements: a mounting plate with a curved opening and a reinforcement portion. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to be standardized with a universal curved opening design while the reinforcement portion can be adjusted or configured for specific applications, reducing the need for completely different designs for each bumper beam type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modular reinforcements are produced for different bumper beam heights and types, then each configuration can accommodate towing sockets correctly, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different bumper beam configurationsVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is designed with a curved opening that can accommodate towing sockets at various positions relative to the bumper beam height. The curved shape of the opening allows it to adapt to different SAC types and bumper beam configurations without requiring multiple specialized plate designs, thus achieving universality across different vehicle models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single modular reinforcement design is used for all bumper beam types, then production is simplified, but the towing socket cannot be properly positioned for different SAC types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different bumper beam configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate features a curved opening with specific geometric properties that provide different functional characteristics at different locations within the opening. The curved shape creates zones that can accommodate towing sockets at various heights and positions, allowing a single plate design to serve multiple local requirements for different SAC types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The opening transitions from a simple linear cut to a curved two-dimensional shape that adds spatial flexibility. This curvature introduces an additional geometric dimension that allows the opening to encompass multiple potential socket positions, enabling a single plate design to adapt to different bumper beam heights and SAC configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4347320B1Device for reinforcing a bumper beam having a hole for the passage of a towing socket
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4347320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular reinforcing device (1) designed to reinforce a bumper beam (2), the bumper beam (2) being of the type having a front face (4) extended by an upper face (5) and a lower face (6), the device (1) having a mounting plate (11) intended to be disposed in contact with the front face (4) of the bumper beam (2), the device (1) having at least two opposite fixing lips (12a, 12b) that extend the mounting plate (11), are inclined with respect to the mounting plate (11) and are designed to allow the device (1) to be fixed to the upper face (5) and lower face (6), the mounting plate (11) having at least one slot (13) that is provided in the mounting plate (11) and has a curved extension greater than its width, in order to allow a towing socket to be fixed in the bumper beam (2) through the slot (13).