Motor Vehicle Bumper Shell Member With Closure Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle bumpers face challenges in achieving high energy absorption capacity, optimal deformation behavior, and lightweight construction while meeting regulatory requirements for pedestrian protection and crash performance, especially in the context of increasing electromobility where electric vehicles have softer front regions and lower resistance capacity.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle bumper design featuring a transverse carrier with a shell member closed by a closure plate over 70% of its length, having a W-shaped profile with a central bead that initiates deformation, and constructed from ultra-high-strength cold-forming or hot-formed steel, which enhances energy absorption and deformation behavior by selectively deforming around obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the bumper structure is made lighter to achieve weight savings, then fuel efficiency and performance improve, but the energy absorption capacity and resistance capacity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional steel to ultra-high-strength steel materials with tensile strengths of at least 1500 MPa. This material parameter change enables the bumper to achieve both weight reduction and enhanced energy absorption capacity, as the higher strength-to-density ratio of ultra-high-strength steel allows thinner cross-sections while maintaining or improving protective performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining ultra-high-strength steel components with carefully designed geometric structures including hollow sections and optimized cross-sections. This composite approach integrates material strength with structural efficiency to achieve superior energy absorption per unit weight compared to conventional solid steel designs
2Reliability
If the bumper structure is made more complex to improve deformation behavior and energy absorption, then crash performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bumper structure into distinct functional zones including front reinforcement sections, side impact zones, and central impact areas. Each segment is optimized with specific geometric features and material properties to handle different impact scenarios, enabling controlled deformation patterns while maintaining overall structural coherence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the cross-sectional geometry, wall thickness, and material distribution at different locations along the bumper. Critical impact zones receive enhanced structural features such as increased thickness or geometric reinforcement, while less critical areas use optimized minimal designs, achieving superior deformation behavior without uniform complexity throughout
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the front region is made softer to improve pedestrian protection, then pedestrian safety improves, but the resistance capacity against stationary obstacles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the bumper with progressive deformation characteristics that adapt to impact conditions. The structure features controlled collapse zones and energy absorption mechanisms that activate differently based on impact force and duration, providing softer initial contact for pedestrian safety while maintaining progressive resistance capacity for stationary obstacle impacts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by implementing varying material densities, cross-sectional areas, and structural stiffness along the bumper length. The front region incorporates optimized geometric parameters for pedestrian interaction, while rear and central sections maintain higher resistance parameters for obstacle protection, achieving both requirements through spatial parameter variation
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle bumper that has a transverse carrier which can be secured transversely relative to the longitudinal carriers of the motor vehicle by crash boxes. The transverse carrier has a shell member which is open toward the front side and which has a rear wall and two outer members which are both adjoined at the end side by an outwardly directed longitudinal flange. The shell member has a central longitudinal portion which is adjoined in the direction toward the two ends of the transverse carrier by a transition portion, an intermediate portion, a crash box connection portion and an end portion. The shell member is closed at least over the majority of the length thereof by a closure plate which forms the front side. In the transition portions, the shell member has a minimum depth which is less than the maximum depth in the central longitudinal portion.