Bumper Strut Deformation Points for Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper arrangements for motor vehicles face challenges in minimizing energy or fuel consumption while maintaining stringent safety requirements for vehicle occupants during crashes.
Innovation Solution
The bumper arrangement incorporates struts with predefined deformation points, which are supported by crash boxes and a crossmember, allowing for targeted deformation and reduced weight, achieved through ductility variations or bead embodiments, enabling efficient energy absorption and improved safety without compromising safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crash boxes are used to absorb energy and protect occupants, then safety is improved, but weight increases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper arrangement is segmented into multiple functional components: crossmember, crash boxes, and struts with predefined deformation points. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized mass and deformation characteristics, enabling weight reduction while maintaining safety through distributed energy absorption across multiple elements rather than relying solely on heavy crash boxes
Solution Approach 2:
The struts are designed with predefined deformation points that have specific ductility parameters different from the rest of the strut structure. This parameter change allows controlled deformation at specific locations, enabling the struts to absorb energy in a predictable manner with reduced mass compared to traditional crash box designs
2Reliability
If crash boxes are dimensioned to absorb crash energy, then occupant safety is improved, but energy consumption increases due to increased vehicle weight
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption function is segmented between crash boxes and struts with predefined deformation points. This allows the crash boxes to be dimensioned more lightly since they share the energy absorption task with the struts, thereby reducing overall bumper weight and associated fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing struts with controlled ductility parameters and predefined deformation characteristics, the system achieves efficient energy absorption with reduced mass. The struts deform in a controlled manner at specific points, providing predictable energy dissipation that allows for lighter overall bumper construction
3Weight of moving object
If additional struts with predefined deformation points are added to the bumper arrangement, then weight can be reduced and safety improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is segmented into modular components (crossmember, crash boxes, struts) that can be independently designed, manufactured, and assembled. This modularity manages complexity by allowing each component to be optimized separately while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The struts incorporate predefined deformation points with specific ductility parameters, transforming a simple structural element into a controlled energy-absorbing component. This parameter modification allows the struts to provide sophisticated crash management functionality without requiring complex active control systems or multiple moving parts
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
This design significantly reduces the overall weight of the bumper arrangement while maintaining or improving safety, allowing for controlled deformation and enhanced energy absorption, thereby minimizing fuel consumption and ensuring occupant safety during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
each crash box is then assigned at least one strut which is supported both on in each case one end of the crash box pointing away from the crossmember and/or a flange plate as well as on the crossmember, wherein the at least one strut is arranged in the longitudinal extent of the crossmember between two crash boxes and has at least one predefined deformation point
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle having a crossmember which can be coupled to longitudinal members via crash boxes, wherein the crash boxes are arranged between the crossmember and a flange plate which is assigned to the respective crash box and which is designed to couple to a longitudinal member is provided. In this context, each crash box is assigned at least one strut which is supported both on in each case one end of the crash box pointing away from the crossmember and/or a flange plate as well as on the crossmember, wherein the at least one strut is arranged in the longitudinal extent of the crossmember between two crash boxes and has at least one predefined deformation point.