Lateral Push Element for Front Bumper Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front bumper systems for vehicles do not efficiently transfer lateral force during small overlap collisions, which can lead to increased energy absorption by the vehicle structure and potential damage to pedestrians.
Innovation Solution
A front bumper system comprising a pair of front side members, crash box units, and a lateral push element attached to the crash box units, which provides a load transfer path via the cross member structure to facilitate earlier and more efficient lateral movement of the vehicle, reducing the impact on the vehicle and the imparting object, and utilizing aluminum for the lateral push element to enhance mechanical strength and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the lateral push element is attached to the front side member directly, then the lateral force transfer is achieved, but the lateral motion occurs later in the collision event and the portion of the outer surface being imparted is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lateral push element as an intermediary component that transfers lateral force from the impact point through the cross member structure to the opposing front side member. This mediator enables earlier lateral motion initiation by positioning the force transfer path closer to the front of the vehicle, reducing the time delay in lateral response during collision
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral push element is positioned to engage with the cross member structure in advance, creating a pre-configured load transfer path. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when collision occurs, the lateral force is immediately transferred through the optimized path, initiating lateral motion earlier than conventional designs
2Productivity
If the lateral push element protrudes further in lateral direction, then the load transfer path is optimized, but the lateral extension of the bumper increases which may affect pedestrian safety
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral push element is designed with optimized local geometry and positioning, protruding only as much as necessary to establish effective load transfer to the cross member structure. This localized optimization achieves efficient lateral force transfer without excessive lateral extension that would compromise pedestrian safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the lateral protrusion dimension of the lateral push element as a critical parameter, balancing the need for effective load transfer with the constraint of minimizing lateral bumper extension. By carefully controlling this dimensional parameter, the system achieves efficient collision response while maintaining pedestrian safety
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 system enables improved lateral motion of the vehicle during collisions, reducing the energy transferred to the vehicle structure and minimizing damage to both the vehicle and the collision object, while ensuring pedestrian safety by reducing the lateral extension of the bumper.
Implementation Method 1
the crash box units being configured to absorb collision energy by being deformed in the event of a collision
Implementation Method 2
the lateral push element being arranged to, in the event of a collision, provide a load transfer path for transferring a load, via the cross member structure towards the opposing front side member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a front bumper system (100) for a vehicle (101). A pair of front side members (104) is arranged along a front-rear direction (105) of the vehicle and arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle and on opposite sides of a cross member structure (106) of the vehicle. Pair of crash box units (108) are mechanically fixated to the front side members. A front bumper (110) is laterally disposed and mechanically fixated to each of the crash box units. A lateral push element (112) is mechanically fixed to one of the crash box units and being arranged to provide a load transfer path (116) via the cross member structure towards the opposing front side member such that at least the front side member on the side of the lateral push element is moved towards the opposing front side member in the event of a crash.