Bumper Support Plate Bracket Design for Frontal Impact Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper support systems for motor vehicles are prone to sliding backwards and damaging the cooling system during urban-type frontal impacts at low speeds, leading to high repair costs.
Innovation Solution
The bumper support plates are arranged laterally with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal axis and fixed to the upper crosspiece and headlight, extending vertically to cooperate with the bumper crossmember via a bracket formed from a folded metal strip, which includes a second portion extending horizontally and a lower leg to prevent rearward movement during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If bumper supports are arranged in vertical support on brackets, then the front bumper is consolidated, but during urban-type frontal impact the bumper supports slide backwards and damage the cooling system fan assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper support is divided into multiple functional elements: a support plate for vertical support, a bracket for mounting, and a retention element (such as a detent or clip) that engages with the bracket. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the support plate provides structural support, while the retention element prevents backward sliding during impact
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element is pre-configured in a positioned state that engages with the bracket before impact occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when frontal impact happens, the bumper support is already constrained and cannot slide backwards to damage the cooling system fan assembly
2Device complexity
If plastic bumper supports are fixed by interlocking on the bumper cross member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the supports can come loose and damage the vehicle's cooling system
Solution Approach 1:
A retention element acts as an intermediary component between the bumper support and the bracket. This intermediate element provides a positive mechanical engagement that prevents the support from coming loose, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The retention element can be a detent, clip, or snap-fit feature that engages with a corresponding slot or opening in the bracket
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a front portion (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a bumper crossmember (3), a front fascia upper crossmember (5), a bumper extending in front of the bumper crossmember (3) and the front fascia upper crossmember (5), and at least one bumper support plate (9) attached to the front fascia upper crossmember (5). In this front portion (1), the bumper support plate(s) (9) further cooperate with the bumper crossmember (3) so as to bear against said crossmember in the event of a frontal impact on said bumper.