Front Bumper Support Brackets to Prevent Assembly Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The potential for relative movement between the front bumper assembly and the vehicle body during travel can cause damage, such as cracking of the grille subassembly, due to the substantial weight of the bumper assembly.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design incorporating a reinforcement member, apron bracket, and support brackets that extend between the reinforcement member and the apron bracket to inhibit movement of the front bumper assembly relative to the vehicle body, using S-shaped support brackets with flanges and projections for secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the front bumper assembly is supported by the vehicle body alone, then the structure is simpler, but the bumper assembly may move relative to the vehicle body causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple discrete support brackets distributed across the front bumper assembly. Each bracket independently supports specific portions of the bumper, allowing the system to prevent relative movement between the bumper and vehicle body while maintaining a modular, manageable structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brackets are positioned within the front bumper assembly structure, with some brackets nested between the bumper and vehicle body. This nesting arrangement allows the support components to be integrated into the existing structure rather than adding external complexity, achieving reliable support while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Reliability
If support brackets are added to prevent movement, then the bumper assembly stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support brackets are pre-positioned and pre-configured within the front bumper assembly during manufacturing, rather than being installed separately during vehicle assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and positioning is achieved during bumper fabrication, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable movement prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brackets serve as intermediary components that connect the front bumper assembly to the vehicle body through standardized mounting interfaces. These brackets provide a simple mechanical connection point that facilitates easy assembly and disassembly during manufacturing and service, reducing the complexity of the overall assembly process while effectively preventing bumper movement.
3Strength
If multiple support brackets are used, then the structural integrity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Support brackets are strategically positioned at specific locations within the front bumper assembly where structural support is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing them throughout. This local quality approach concentrates reinforcement at critical stress points and connection areas, maintaining high structural integrity while minimizing the total number of components required.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple support brackets are combined into integrated support structures that share common mounting points and fastening mechanisms. By merging adjacent brackets or combining support functions into single multi-functional brackets, the design achieves the necessary structural reinforcement while reducing the total component count and simplifying the overall device 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 design effectively prevents or minimizes damage to the front bumper assembly by maintaining its stability and alignment with the vehicle body, enhancing pedestrian impact performance and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a reinforcement member supported by the vehicle body and configured to absorb forces during an impact with the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
support brackets extending between the reinforcement member and the apron bracket to thereby inhibit movement of the front bumper assembly in relation to the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle that includes: a vehicle body; a reinforcement member that is supported by the vehicle body and which is configured to absorb forces during an impact with the vehicle; a front bumper assembly that is supported by the vehicle body and which includes front lamps; an apron bracket that is supported by the vehicle body and which extends into the front bumper assembly; and support brackets that extends between the reinforcement member and the apron bracket to thereby inhibit movement of the front bumper assembly in relation to the vehicle body.