Rotatable Bumper for Vehicle Hood Grille Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing precision in vehicle body component tolerances can lead to unintended contact between the vehicle hood and grille when the hood is slammed closed, as the reduced gap between components increases the likelihood of direct impact, which is not intended by design and can cause damage.
Innovation Solution
A rotatably and ergonomically mountable bumper is designed to cushion and transmit reactive forces between the vehicle hood and grille, featuring a fastening member that rotates between two positions to engage and disengage from a mounting aperture, with a cushioning pusher member to absorb impact energy and prevent direct contact, utilizing an elastomeric material for elasticity and a registration mechanism to maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the gap between the hood and grille is reduced to improve vehicle body appearance and achieve tighter design tolerances, then the overall vehicle body appearance is improved, but the likelihood of unintended direct contact between the hood and grille when the hood is slammed closed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper acts as an intermediary component positioned between the hood and grille. When the hood is slammed closed, the bumper's pusher member contacts the grille first and transmits reactive forces through its elastic body, preventing direct contact between the hood and grille. This mediator approach allows tight design tolerances while protecting against impact damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is pre-installed in the closed position between the hood and grille before any impact occurs. The elastic body is pre-compressed between these components, creating a cushioning effect that activates automatically when the hood is slammed closed, absorbing impact energy before direct contact can occur.
2Ease of operation
If the hood is allowed to close under its own weight or with additional closing force, then the hood can be closed more easily, but the hood may slam closed causing direct contact with the grille
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bumper body is pre-positioned and compressed between the hood and grille in the closed state. When the hood closes with additional force, the bumper's elastic properties provide immediate cushioning, absorbing the impact shock while allowing the hood to close easily without requiring precise force control.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper utilizes the elastic properties of its body to change the mechanical parameters of the system. The elastic body deforms under impact, changing from a rigid barrier to a compliant cushion that absorbs energy, allowing the hood closing force to be dissipated safely without transmitting full impact force to the grille.
3Loss of energy
If a traditional spring is used to absorb shock energy, then a portion of the shock energy can be absorbed, but direct contact between the hood and grille may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper's pusher member is positioned to contact the grille before the hood can make direct contact. The elastic body transmits reactive forces through this intermediary mechanism, ensuring that the hood never directly contacts the grille even when additional closing force is applied, providing complete protection beyond just energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper introduces a new spatial dimension to the hood-grille interface by extending the pusher member forward to contact the grille surface. This dimensional extension creates a protective zone that prevents direct hood-grille contact, adding a spatial buffer beyond what traditional shock-absorbing springs provide.
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 bumper effectively prevents the hood from contacting the grille by absorbing impact energy and transmitting reactive forces, allowing for tighter design tolerances between components while ensuring safe closure of the hood without damage.
Implementation Method 1
The bumper has elasticity to cushion the impact and to absorb a portion of the energy of the impact
Implementation Method 2
The pusher member is configured to contact a portion of the potentially interfering second member to transmit reactive forces between the mounting member and the second member
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a rotatably-mountable bumper configured for rotatably and ergonomically mounting to a mounting member for cushioning the contact between the mounting member and a potentially interfering member. The bumper transmits reactive forces between two members, such as a vehicle hood and grille, if portions of one member over travels. A fastening member on the bumper rotatably engages an aperture on the mounting member to secure the bumper to the mounting member. A registration member on the bumper retentively holds the bumper in rotatably-mounted engagement with the mounting member.