Rear Bumper Support With Cantilever Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bumper support systems in vehicles transmit forces to the structure during collisions, compromising the dissipation of impact energy and pedestrian safety due to the intrusion of the shock absorption beam with the fixing foot, which should be minimized.

Innovation Solution

The bumper support system incorporates a cantilever assembly with a reinforcing element that maintains vertical rigidity by resting on the shock absorption beam, eliminating the need for a strut and positioning the fixing leg outside the beam's intrusion path, allowing for reduced thickness and deformation of the foot, thereby minimizing force transmission to the vehicle structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the beam is arranged to be placed under the support part and behind the latter, then the beam can absorb shock during collision, but the beam touches the foot for fixing and supporting the support part during intrusion stroke, transmitting forces to the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy dissipationVSAvoidforce transmission to structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the force transmission path by removing the foot from the intrusion path of the beam. The support part is configured to be supported directly by the structure at a location that the beam does not contact during intrusion, thereby separating the shock absorption function from the support function and preventing force transmission to the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary support configuration where the support part is directly supported by the structure at a location outside the beam's intrusion path. This intermediary support arrangement allows the beam to absorb shock without transmitting forces to the structure through the foot, as the foot is no longer in contact with the beam during intrusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the foot is made thicker to provide better support, then vertical rigidity is improved, but the foot occupies more space and may interfere with beam intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical rigidityVSAvoidfoot thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the foot from the intrusion path of the beam, allowing the foot to be thinner since it no longer needs to provide support during beam intrusion. The support function is transferred to a different location on the structure that is not contacted by the beam during collision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the support location in a different dimension relative to the beam's intrusion path. The support part is supported by the structure at a location that is spatially separated from the beam's path, allowing the foot to be thinner without compromising vertical rigidity.

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

3Volume of moving object

If the foot is deformed to reduce thickness, then space for beam intrusion is increased, but vertical support capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot thicknessVSAvoidvertical support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the vertical support function from the foot by positioning the support location outside the beam's intrusion path. The foot can be deformed to reduce thickness since the vertical support capability is maintained through the direct structural support at the repositioned location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration enhances the absorption of impact forces while maintaining vertical rigidity and reducing the risk of force transmission to the vehicle structure, ensuring improved safety and efficiency in energy dissipation during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

the support elements 9 then deform by a more pronounced inclination under the effect of the pressure exerted by the bumper skin. The volume formed by the support elements 9 is compressed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the support elements 9 then deform by a more pronounced inclination under the effect of the pressure exerted by the bumper skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

in the event of a collision, the beam 17 will absorb the shock and move in the direction of the structure 3 of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3256348B1Rear bumper central support
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3256348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3256348B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3256348B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6b

AI summary

The invention relates to a support part (21) for a bumper intended to form part of a shock absorbing system which further comprises at least one shock absorbing beam (17) and a bumper skin (19) intended to cover the beam (17) and the support part (21), characterised in that it comprises at least one reinforcing element (31) which deforms under longitudinal stress but is rigid under vertical stress, connected to the base (23) by one of the ends of same and sized to extend so as to place the other end of same, referred to as terminal, above the shock absorbing beam (17) so as to be able to bear thereon from above if necessary.