Triangular Bumper Fastening Device with Deformable Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for motor vehicle bumper covers are prone to causing damage to the vehicle body during horizontal force impacts due to their limited deformation capability, leading to substantial repair costs even at low speeds.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a triangular shape featuring a pivot member and a support member with a predetermined breaking point, allowing the pivot member to swing against the restraining member upon force impact, thereby distributing the force and minimizing damage to the vehicle body, while maintaining vertical stiffness for user support without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the fastening device is made slightly deformable to allow deformation during impact, then damage to the vehicle body is reduced, but the support capability for users loading/unloading the trunk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is segmented into multiple functional components: a rigid restraining member for anchoring, a deformable support member for energy absorption, and a pivot member for controlled movement. This segmentation allows different parts to fulfill different functions - the rigid portion maintains structural integrity and support capability, while the deformable portion absorbs impact energy to reduce vehicle body damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the fastening device have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The restraining member is designed with high rigidity for stable anchoring, the support member is designed with controlled deformability for energy absorption, and the pivot member is designed for rotational movement. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized deformation capability.
2Strength
If the fastening device is made rigid to provide user support, then support capability is improved, but damage to the vehicle body during impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary element between the rigid restraining member and the bumper cover. It transmits user support forces effectively while simultaneously serving as a sacrificial element that deforms during impact to absorb energy, protecting the rigid vehicle body structure from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed to deform preferentially during impact, converting the harmful impact energy into beneficial deformation work. This controlled deformation absorbs energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the vehicle body, while the rigid restraining member and pivot mechanism ensure the deformation is controlled and does not compromise overall structural integrity.
3Loss of energy
If the fastening device allows deformation during impact, then impact energy is absorbed, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with controlled movement capabilities. The pivot member enables controlled rotation, and the support member provides controlled deformation, allowing the structure to adapt dynamically to impact forces while maintaining stability through its articulated design and constrained movement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is pre-designed with a predetermined breaking point or controlled deformation zone, creating a built-in cushioning mechanism before impact occurs. This pre-engineered deformation capability ensures that during impact, energy is absorbed in a controlled manner through predetermined deformation paths, preventing uncontrolled structural failure and maintaining overall stability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the fastening device is made with movable components for impact absorption, then impact resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a compact articulated mechanism: the pivot member combines rotational movement capability with structural connection, the support member combines deformation-based energy absorption with mechanical support, and the restraining member combines anchoring function with geometric constraint. This merging of functions into integrated components achieves impact resistance without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device employs asymmetric geometric design, particularly the triangular arrangement of members, which provides inherent structural stability and force distribution. The asymmetric configuration of the articulated mechanism allows controlled deformation in specific directions while maintaining rigidity in other directions, achieving impact resistance through geometric design rather than complex 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 effectively reduces damage to the vehicle body during collisions by allowing the fastening device to absorb and distribute impact forces, limiting damage to the device and bumper cover while keeping the vehicle body intact or minimally damaged, and enabling user support without deforming the fastening device.
Implementation Method 1
the support member being configured to undergo a deformation, when a force is applied upon the bumper cover in a vehicle longitudinal direction and transferred onto the fastening device, thereby causing the pivot member to swing about the pivot against the restraining member
Implementation Method 2
the pivot member to swing about the pivot against the restraining member
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, a bumper cover, and a fastening device for attaching the bumper cover to the vehicle body. The fastening device has a triangular shape and includes a restraining member, a fastener configured to secure the restraining member to the vehicle body, and a pivot member articulated to the restraining member for swinging about a pivot. The pivot member has a pivot-distal end which is supported on the restraining member via a support member which is angled in relation to the pivot member. The support member is configured to undergo a deformation, when a force is applied upon the bumper cover in a vehicle longitudinal direction and transferred onto the fastening device, thereby causing the pivot member to swing about the pivot against the restraining member.