Pivoting Rear Impact Guard for Underride Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear impact guards for vehicles are rigid and do not effectively mitigate underriding collisions, as they do not adapt to changing collision scenarios and can increase impact forces on involved vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A rear impact guard with a pivotally attached bumper and actuator system that allows the bumper to pivot between a vertical and angled position, providing adjustable clearance and controlled impact absorption during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid rear impact guard is used, then the structure provides stable protection against underriding, but it increases impact forces on involved vehicles during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is changed from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic pivoting structure that can rotate between a vertical position (for underride protection) and an angled position (for impact absorption). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different collision scenarios, reducing impact forces while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the bumper is changed from fixed vertical to variable angle through pivoting. By changing the angular parameter dynamically during collision, the system optimizes both protection effectiveness and impact force reduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid rear impact guard is used, then the structure maintains fixed geometric configuration, but it cannot adapt to changing collision scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper structure transitions from static to dynamic by incorporating a pivoting mechanism with actuator. This allows the geometric configuration to change in response to different collision scenarios, enhancing adaptability while maintaining structural stability through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect collision characteristics and provide feedback to the actuator control system. This feedback mechanism enables the bumper to automatically adjust its angle based on real-time collision data, improving adaptability to various collision scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pivotally attached bumper with actuator is used, then the system adapts to collision scenarios and reduces impact forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system is segmented into modular components: the pivot mechanism, the actuator, the sensor system, and the bumper itself. This segmentation allows for independent optimization of each component and simplifies maintenance and replacement while maintaining overall system adaptability.
4Reliability
If the bumper is positioned vertically for maximum underride protection, then clearance is minimized, but clearance is needed for ground obstacles and loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper clearance is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic parameter that adjusts based on operational needs. The system pivots to vertical position for underride protection and to angled position for increased clearance, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper system serves multiple functions: underride protection, impact absorption, and variable clearance provision. By incorporating pivoting capability, the single structure fulfills multiple roles that would otherwise require different configurations or additional components.
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 solution reduces the likelihood of underride and lessens impact forces by allowing the bumper to pivot and absorb collision energy, enhancing vehicle safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator of the rear impact guard is mounted to the frame and is coupled to the bumper. The actuator is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position
Implementation Method 2
The actuator is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position in which the bumper is pivoted forwardly and under the frame
Implementation Method 3
providing adjustable clearance and controlled impact absorption during collisions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a frame and a bumper pivotally connected to the frame. A step is attached to the bumper so that the step is pivotal between a storage position and a step position. An actuator is mounted to the frame and coupled to the bumper, and is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position.