Integrated Bumper Skin Absorber for Low-Speed Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle bumper systems require additional impact absorption components that complicate assembly, increase cost, and weight, while offering limited absorption capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Integrate impact absorption means into the bumper skin, forming a protruding pad with a more rigid intermediate part to absorb energy across varying impact speeds, and include reinforced areas and a lower skirt to conceal these features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate impact absorption element is added between the bumper beam and bumper skin, then impact absorption capability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bumper skin and impact absorption element into a single integrated bumper device. The absorption means is formed as an integral part of the bumper skin, eliminating the need for separate impact absorption components while maintaining both the aesthetic function of the bumper skin and the safety function of impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bumper skin is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the outer aesthetic covering and as the impact absorption structure. The integrated design allows the same component to fulfill both cosmetic and safety roles, reducing the total number of parts required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate impact absorption element is added between the bumper beam and bumper skin, then impact absorption capability is improved, but vehicle mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidvehicle mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the bumper skin and impact absorption element into one integrated component, the patent eliminates the additional mass that would result from adding a separate absorption element. The unified structure uses the same material and manufacturing process, avoiding the weight penalty of multiple discrete parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a separate impact absorption element is added between the bumper beam and bumper skin, then impact absorption capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated bumper device is manufactured as a single piece using one molding process, which reduces manufacturing costs compared to producing separate components that would require multiple molding operations, additional assembly steps, and increased quality control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the overall structure is integrated, the absorption means within the bumper skin is segmented into distinct functional zones (contact part, intermediate part, protruding pad) with different rigidity characteristics. This internal segmentation allows optimized impact absorption without requiring separate external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Shape

If the bumper skin curvature is increased to fit vehicle design, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but gap formation between bumper skin and bumper beam increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebumper skin curvatureVSAvoidgap between components

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper skin is designed with locally varied thickness and rigidity properties. The absorption means incorporates zones with different rigidity characteristics, allowing the bumper skin to maintain high curvature for aesthetic purposes while the integrated absorption structure fills gaps and ensures stable contact with the bumper beam in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Simplifies assembly, reduces vehicle mass, and effectively controls deformation and damage from low to moderate impacts, maintaining absorption functionality without visible additional parts.

Implementation Method 1

the contact part with an end bearing against the bumper beam when the vehicle receives an impact on an outer face of the skin, directed generally in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

absorb the energy of an impact at a lower speed, but higher than the very low speed threshold, for example between 4 km/h and 16 km/h

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4263295B1Bumper device with integrated absorber, and vehicle comprising said device

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS

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AI summary

Bumper device (2) for a vehicle (1) comprising a bumper skin (3) comprising an outer face (31) and an inner face (32), an absorption means (33) arranged on the side of the inner face (32) of the skin (3) and intended to face a bumper beam (10) when the bumper device (2) is installed on a vehicle (1), so as to press against said beam (10) in the event of an impact against the outer face of the bumper skin (3), characterized in that the absorption means (33) is integral with the bumper skin (3).