Station Wagon Bumper Skin With Retractable Support Plates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bumpers for station wagon vehicles fail to support high vertical loads with minimal deformation, as they do not meet the required criteria of withstanding loads of the order of 100 dN with deformation of less than 5 mm.
Innovation Solution
A bumper design featuring a C-shaped bumper skin with a transverse beam and molded plastic support plates that retract during impact, allowing for precise positioning and absorption of vertical forces while maintaining shock absorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional bumper design is used, then the shock absorption function is maintained, but the bumper cannot support high vertical loads with minimal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper support structure is segmented into multiple plates (first set and second set of plates) arranged symmetrically, which distributes the vertical load across multiple contact points with the bumper skin, thereby increasing overall load bearing capacity while controlling deformation through distributed support
Solution Approach 2:
The support plates extend in the longitudinal direction from the transverse frame toward the beam, creating a three-dimensional support architecture that provides both transverse and longitudinal stiffness, enabling the structure to resist vertical loads more effectively while maintaining shape stability
2Strength
If the support structure is made more rigid to support vertical loads, then load bearing improves, but shock absorption during impact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are designed to be movable relative to the transverse frame, allowing them to retract longitudinally during impact events. This dynamic capability enables the structure to maintain rigidity for vertical load support while accommodating impact forces through controlled movement, preserving shock absorption function
Solution Approach 2:
The junction lines between the support plates and the transverse frame are designed with reduced thickness compared to the plates themselves, creating a localized weakness that allows the plates to retract during impact. This parameter change enables the structure to transition from a rigid load-bearing state to a more compliant shock-absorbing state
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bumper skin is positioned closer to the beam for better support, then vertical stability improves, but shock absorption space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates extend diagonally in the longitudinal direction from the transverse frame toward the beam, providing vertical support stability through their inclined configuration while maintaining a clearance space between the bumper skin and beam. This three-dimensional arrangement achieves both positioning stability and shock absorption volume
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 bumper effectively supports high vertical loads with minimal deformation and precise positioning, ensuring it can be used at the rear of station wagon vehicles without compromising shock absorption.
Implementation Method 1
The beam 10 is fixed to the body of the vehicle by means of shock absorbers
Implementation Method 2
the load and/or deformation may be different depending on the vehicle manufacturers
Implementation Method 3
a set 26 of support plates for the upper wing 4 of the bumper skin... capable of retracting in the event of an impact on the bumper
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The bumper (1) has a skin (2) extending in a transverse direction and including an upper wing (4) and a flat face cowl (6) receiving impacts. A transversal support (12) of the skin is placed from a side of a transversal beam (10), and a clear space (46) exists between the beam and the support in the clearance of the beam in the event of impact on the cowl. The support has plates for supporting the wing in the skin. The plates are placed under the wing in the space and adapted to retract in the event of impact on the cowl under the effect of displacement of the beam.