Deployable Bumper System for Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle bumpers are inefficient in absorbing impact energy and reducing peak force levels due to their fixed design, leading to increased vehicle length and undesirable aesthetics, necessitating a deployable bumper system that can extend and deform upon collision detection.
Innovation Solution
A deployable bumper system equipped with sensors that detect impending collisions, deploying outwardly using hydraulic, pneumatic, or spring-based mechanisms to increase deformation range, incorporating segmented designs and energy absorption mechanisms like shearing and braking to minimize impact forces and absorb energy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the bumper size in the outward direction is increased to reduce impact induced impulsive forces and increase energy absorption, then the effectiveness of the bumper system is improved, but the vehicle length is significantly increased which is undesirable from esthetic and practical points of view
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable structure. The bumper can extend outwardly upon collision detection to increase deformation range and energy absorption capacity, then retract to maintain compact vehicle dimensions during normal operation. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between needing large bumper dimensions for energy absorption and maintaining small vehicle length for aesthetics and practicality.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable bumper segments are designed to nest within the vehicle body or bumper housing when not in use. The segmented structure allows the bumper to be stored compactly within the vehicle's existing space envelope, then deployed outward when needed. This nesting approach enables large energy absorption dimensions without permanently increasing vehicle length.
2Length of moving object
If conventional fixed bumper designs are used to maintain compact vehicle dimensions, then the vehicle length is kept desirable, but the energy absorption efficiency and peak force reduction capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable structure. The bumper can extend outwardly upon collision detection to increase deformation range and energy absorption capacity, then retract to maintain compact vehicle dimensions during normal operation. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between needing large bumper dimensions for energy absorption and maintaining small vehicle length for aesthetics and practicality.
3Loss of energy
If separate energy absorbers such as struts, springs or foam members are integrated into the beam-like structure to improve energy absorption, then the energy absorbing capability is enhanced, but the device complexity and structural design difficulty are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple energy absorption mechanisms (struts, springs, foam members) into a unified deployable bumper structure. Rather than treating these as separate components, they are combined into a coordinated system where the deployable segments incorporate energy absorbers as integral parts. This merging approach enhances energy absorption while managing complexity through systematic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is divided into multiple deployable segments that can independently extend and contain energy absorption elements. Each segment can be designed with specific energy absorbers (struts, springs, or foam) tailored to its function. This segmentation allows complex energy absorption capabilities to be distributed across manageable modular units, reducing overall design complexity.
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 deployable bumper system significantly reduces passenger injury and vehicle damage by increasing energy absorption and reducing peak impact forces while maintaining a compact vehicle appearance, as it deploys only when necessary and retracts after use.
Implementation Method 1
deployed by hydraulic or pneumatic or pressurized gas type or the like pistons
Implementation Method 2
deployed by hydraulic or pneumatic or pressurized gas type or the like pistons
Implementation Method 3
deployed by at least one compressively preloaded spring
Implementation Method 4
absorbs energy through plastic deformation
Implementation Method 5
separate energy absorbers such as struts, springs or foam members
Data Source
AI summary
A system for protecting an automobile from a collision. The system including: a bumper having one or more bumper segments disposed on the automobile for absorbing at least some energy of the collision; and one or more actuators for deploying the bumper when conditions indicative of an impending collision is detected; wherein the one or more actuators comprise: one or more hydraulic actuators; one or more pneumatic actuators; one or more actuators actuated by one or more detonation charges; one or more fluid-filled bellows; one or more compressively pre-loaded springs; and one or more actuators connected to rotatable joints of links in a linkage.