Lower Bumper Reinforcement Structure for Barrier Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lower bumper reinforcement in vehicles can displace into the space under the barrier during collisions, especially when the pressure receiving area is small, leading to inadequate bearing of the collision load.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle design includes specific members with a first portion covering the front face of the lower bumper reinforcement and a second portion protruding upward, increasing the pressure receiving area and distributing the collision load more evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the lower bumper reinforcement is positioned lower to reduce overlap with the barrier, then the up-down direction distance to the space under the barrier is shortened, but the lower bumper reinforcement may be displaced into the space under the barrier during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveup-down direction distance between lower bumper reinforcement and space under barrierVSAvoidability of lower bumper reinforcement to bear collision load

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The specific member extends in the vehicle width direction (lateral dimension) to increase the pressure receiving area, rather than increasing height in the up-down direction. This allows the lower bumper reinforcement to maintain its low position while still receiving distributed collision loads effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The specific member is positioned at specific locations (front and rear portions) of the lower bumper reinforcement to provide localized support where collision loads are most likely to concentrate, preventing downward displacement at these critical points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the pressure receiving area of the lower bumper reinforcement is small, then the structure is simpler, but concentrated load input causes local deformation and downward movement of the lower bumper reinforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexity of lower bumper reinforcementVSAvoidresistance of lower bumper reinforcement to local deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The collision load distribution is segmented across multiple points along the vehicle width direction through the specific member, preventing concentration at a single location and reducing local deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of moving object

If the second portion of the specific member protrudes upward to increase pressure receiving area, then collision load distribution is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure receiving area of lower bumper reinforcementVSAvoidstructural complexity of specific member

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending in the up-down direction, the specific member extends in the vehicle width direction, achieving increased pressure receiving area without adding vertical complexity to the lower bumper reinforcement structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12202421B2Lower bumper reinforcement and vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle includes a body. The vehicle includes a front bumper reinforcement that is attached to a front end of the body, and extends along a vehicle width direction. The vehicle includes a lower bumper reinforcement that is attached to the front end of the body, is located under the front bumper reinforcement, and extends along the vehicle width direction. The vehicle includes at least one specific member that is fixed to a partial section of the lower bumper reinforcement along an extending direction of the lower bumper reinforcement. Each of the at least one specific member includes a first portion that covers a front face of the lower bumper reinforcement, and a second portion that protrudes more upward than an upper face of the lower bumper reinforcement.