Front Protective Moulding Layout for AEBS Radar Impact Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing front shields of motor vehicles equipped with AEBS radar systems face challenges in withstanding small front impacts, particularly under European regulation ECE42, where the radar is exposed and lacks adequate protection during such collisions.

Innovation Solution

The front shield design incorporates shock absorption stops on either side of the radar support, positioned partly in front of and below the shock absorber, which absorb impacts and prevent contact between the stops and the radar support during deformation, ensuring the radar's integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the radar is positioned directly in front of the vehicle without a protective cover, then the radar is accessible and easy to install, but the radar is vulnerable to intrusion during small front impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradar integrityVSAvoidprotective structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar support is integrated within the bumper structure, nested between the shock-absorbing element and the bumper skin. The radar mount is positioned partly in front of and partly below the shock-absorbing element, creating a protected cavity that shields the radar during impacts without requiring an external protective cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock-absorbing element acts as an intermediary between the impact force and the radar support. The two shock-absorbing stops on either side of the radar support absorb impact forces laterally, preventing direct contact between the bumper and radar mount during longitudinal frontal impacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the radar is fixed to the bumper without additional protection, then the installation is simple, but the radar cannot withstand small front impacts under ECE42 regulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradar protection during impactVSAvoidbumper manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The radar protection function is merged into the bumper structure itself. The shock-absorbing element with integrated stops and the radar support form a unified assembly where the bumper components collectively provide protection, eliminating the need for separate protective devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock-absorbing element features localized shock-absorbing stops positioned specifically on either side of the radar support. This local reinforcement provides targeted protection where needed (at the radar mounting area) without requiring strengthening of the entire bumper structure

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

This design effectively limits intrusion during small front impacts, preserving the AEBS radar by distributing shock absorption and preventing contact that could damage the radar support, thus enhancing the vehicle's safety features.

Implementation Method 1

a shock-absorbing element (14) extending along the transverse direction (Y) and attached to the inner face (10a) of the shield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

deformation of these elements during a longitudinal frontal impact will not result in contact between the bumpers and the radar mount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4100283B1Front protective moulding for motor vehicle equipped with a radar and front structure of vehicle comprising such a protective moulding
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 RENAULT SA
  • EP4100283B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4100283B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4100283B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a front protective moulding (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a protective moulding skin (12), - a shock-absorbing element (14) extending in a transverse direction Y and fastened to the protective moulding skin (12) on an inner surface (10a) side of the protective moulding, - a radar support (16) situated at the front and extending underneath the shock-absorbing element (14) when the protective moulding is mounted on the vehicle and fastened to the inner surface of the protective moulding. According to the invention, the shock-absorbing element (14) has two shock-absorbing abutments (141, 142) situated to either side of the radar support (16) in the transverse direction, these abutments being secured to a lower surface (143) of the shock-absorbing element.