Integral Rubber Bumper Strip Design for Consistent Repulsive Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bumper strips for vehicles have complex production processes and structures that increase material costs and lead to quality issues such as appearance bending and difficulty in achieving a consistent repulsive force when closing the hood, due to the use of multiple clips and injection molding.
Innovation Solution
A bumper strip with an integral injection-molded design that eliminates the need for clips and complex assembly processes, featuring an upper surface, rear surface, matching portion cover, side surface, and hook supporting portion, all formed from rubber, which are integrally injection-molded to simplify production and ensure consistent repulsive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple clips and injection molding are used to secure repulsive force, then the repulsive force is sufficient, but material costs increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (main body, end portion, and reinforcing rib) into a single injection-molded bumper strip structure. The reinforcing rib is formed integrally with the main body and end portion through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate clips and assembly steps. This merging of components maintains the necessary repulsive force while significantly reducing assembly complexity and material costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If clips and separate injection molding are used, then assembly is possible, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing rib is pre-formed as an integral part of the bumper strip during the injection molding process itself. This preliminary formation of the reinforcing structure eliminates the need for subsequent assembly operations to attach separate clips or components. The entire bumper strip including all reinforcing elements is produced in a single manufacturing step, thereby simplifying the production process and improving productivity.
3Strength
If rib shape is applied for rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but appearance bending and sink mark quality problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing rib is strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide rigidity only in the specific region where structural strength is needed, rather than making the entire bumper strip uniformly thick or rigid. This localized reinforcement maintains necessary strength while minimizing the risk of appearance defects such as bending and sink marks in other critical aesthetic areas of the bumper strip.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate end portion and main strip are manufactured and assembled, then assembly flexibility is possible, but material costs and welding costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper strip is manufactured as a single integral piece through injection molding, combining the main strip and end portion into one component. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of multiple parts and subsequent assembly operations including welding. The integral structure reduces material waste from multiple manufacturing processes and eliminates welding costs entirely, while still providing the necessary adaptability for installation.
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 approach reduces material costs, simplifies the manufacturing process, and prevents quality issues like appearance bending by ensuring a constant repulsive force and eliminating the need for additional assembly steps.
Implementation Method 1
injection-molding the shape of the bumper strip... with a rubber material to be integrally formed
Implementation Method 2
the extruded rubber with a cross-sectional structure for absorbing impact... ensuring a constant repulsive force
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper strip for a vehicle may include an upper surface portion forming an upper surface, a rear surface portion downwardly extending from the rear end portion of the upper surface portion and accommodated on a hood seating portion of the bumper, a matching portion cover of a shape extending in the rearward and downward directions from the rear surface portion, and a side surface portion forming a side surface, and wherein the upper surface portion, the rear surface portion, the matching portion cover and the side surface portion are integrally formed.