Resettable Bumper Energy Absorber for Pedestrian Leg Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs with high bumper heights, such as light duty trucks and SUVs, can result in uneven impact forces on pedestrian legs during vehicle-pedestrian impacts, posing a challenge in managing leg impact energy while maintaining ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a resettable energy absorber between the vehicle bumper and the frame-rail end, which is moveable between an extended and compressed position, to absorb energy during impacts and reduce the force transmitted to pedestrians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the bumper height is increased to provide ground clearance, then the vehicle can clear speed bumps and obstacles, but the impact force on pedestrian legs becomes uneven and more severe
Solution Approach 1:
A resettable energy absorber is introduced as an intermediary component between the bumper and the frame-rail end. This energy absorber acts as a mediator that captures and dissipates impact energy through controlled deformation, preventing the full force from being transmitted to the pedestrian legs while allowing the bumper to maintain its elevated position for ground clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorber changes its structural parameters during impact by transitioning from an extended state to a compressed state. This parameter change allows the system to absorb energy dynamically - the absorber compresses during impact to reduce force transmission, then resets to its original extended position to maintain ground clearance
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 resettable energy absorber effectively manages pedestrian leg impact energy by absorbing and dissipating the impact force, thereby reducing the risk of injury and complying with pedestrian protection regulations while maintaining vehicle ground clearance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring on the stud between the bumper and the plate
Implementation Method 2
The resettable energy absorber effectively manages pedestrian leg impact energy by absorbing and dissipating the impact force
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a bumper. The vehicle frame includes a frame-rail end. The frame-rail end has a vehicle-forward end and a bore at the vehicle-forward end. The vehicle includes a resettable energy absorber supporting the bumper at the vehicle-forward end of the frame-rail end. The resettable energy absorber is moveable with the bumper relative to the frame-rail end between an extended position and a compressed position. The resettable energy absorber extends into the bore of the frame-rail end from the extended position to the compressed position.