US20170334381A1 - Energy absorber with fixed angled fins - Google Patents
Energy absorber with fixed angled fins Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170334381A1 US20170334381A1 US15/159,758 US201615159758A US2017334381A1 US 20170334381 A1 US20170334381 A1 US 20170334381A1 US 201615159758 A US201615159758 A US 201615159758A US 2017334381 A1 US2017334381 A1 US 2017334381A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- leg
- wall
- fins
- energy absorber
- bumper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/023—Details
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/04—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects formed from more than one section in a side-by-side arrangement
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R2019/026—Buffers, i.e. bumpers of limited extent
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
- B60R2019/186—Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
- B60R2019/1893—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact comprising a multiplicity of identical adjacent shock-absorbing means
Definitions
- Bumper assemblies for vehicles may have a stiffness determined by the material and structure of the assembly.
- the desired stiffness of the bumper assembly may be different depending on vehicle speed. For example, at a low vehicle speed, a higher stiffness may be desired to prevent damage to the vehicle. At a high vehicle speed, a lower stiffness may be desired to absorb energy during a pedestrian impact.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a bumper beam, with an energy absorber and a fascia exploded from the rest of the vehicle.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 , with a carrier of the energy absorber shown in hidden lines.
- FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines, and the bumper beam.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the energy absorber and bumper beam along line 5 of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines, and the bumper beam, showing an impact with a first object in a pedestrian protection test.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of the energy absorber of FIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines and the bumper beam, showing an impact with a second object in a low speed damageability test.
- a bumper assembly 12 for a vehicle 10 includes a bumper beam 14 and an energy absorber 16 .
- the energy absorber 16 is mounted to the bumper beam 14 .
- the energy absorber 16 is shown exploded from the rest of the vehicle 10 , including the bumper beam 14 .
- a fascia 30 also shown exploded from the rest of the vehicle in FIG. 1 , may cover the bumper assembly 12 .
- the energy absorber 16 includes a carrier 18 and fins 28 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the energy absorber 16 extends along a longitudinal axis L, with two ends 20 spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L.
- the carrier 18 includes a wall 22 extending along the longitudinal axis L, and may include a first leg 24 and a second leg 26 spaced from each other and extending from the wall 22 in a first direction.
- the fins 28 may be fixed to the wall 22 and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L of the wall 22 .
- the fins 28 may be disposed between the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 . Each fin 28 extends from the wall 22 in the first direction at a positive angle A 1 and/or a negative angle A 2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall 22 .
- the energy absorber 16 When the energy absorber 16 is mounted to the bumper beam 14 of the vehicle 10 , the energy absorber 16 extends between the bumper beam 14 and the fascia 30 , and the fins 28 extend from the wall 22 toward the bumper beam 14 .
- the extension of the fins 28 from the wall at the positive angle A 1 and/or the negative angle A 2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall 22 encourages the fins 28 to transfer force from the fascia 30 to the bumper beam 14 with no deformation, and/or minimal deformation, of the fins 28 to reinforce the fascia 30 of the vehicle 10 during a low-speed damageability test, such as FMVSS Part 581.
- the extension of the fins 28 from the wall at the positive angle A 1 and/or the negative angle A 2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall 22 encourages the fins to deform and/or break away from the wall 22 to absorb energy during a pedestrian impact test, such as Euro NCAP or GTR 9 , which allows the fascia 30 to deform and absorb energy.
- the bumper assembly 12 in FIG. 1 is shown on a front end of the vehicle 10 . Additionally or alternatively, the bumper assembly 12 may also be affixed to a rear end of the vehicle 10 .
- the vehicle 10 may be of any type of passenger or commercial vehicle such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a taxi, a bus, etc.
- the bumper beam 14 may be supported on a frame (not shown) of the vehicle 10 in any suitable way.
- crush cans (not shown) may be mounted to the frame of the vehicle 10 at a first end of the crush cans, with a second end of the crush cans connected to the bumper beam 14 .
- the bumper beam 14 may be mounted directly to the frame of the vehicle 10 in any suitable way.
- the bumper beam 14 may be curvilinear to a tangent at a longitudinal center of the bumper beam 14 .
- the bumper beam 14 may deform during frontal impact.
- the bumper beam 14 may be configured to remain rigid during frontal impact.
- the bumper beam 14 may be formed of metal, such as steel or aluminum.
- the fascia 30 may cover the bumper assembly 12 , including the energy absorber 16 and the bumper beam 14 .
- the fascia 30 may provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle 10 , among other things.
- the fascia 30 may be affixed to the energy absorber 16 in any suitable manner.
- the fascia 30 may be affixed to the wall 22 of the carrier 18 using low-density foam or the like to allow the fascia 30 to maintain a desired shape.
- fasteners of any suitable type may affix the fascia 30 to the energy absorber 16 , or to other structures of the vehicle 10 , such as the frame.
- the fascia 30 may contact an object, absorbing energy from the object.
- the fascia 30 may be flexible and/or brittle relative to the bumper assembly 12 .
- the fascia 30 may be constructed of any suitable material, e.g., a metal, a polymer (e.g., a plastic), a composite, and the like.
- the energy absorber 16 extends along the longitudinal axis L, with the two ends 20 spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L.
- the carrier 18 including the wall 22 , the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 , may be curvilinear to a tangent at a longitudinal center of the carrier 18 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4 .
- the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 may be shaped to match a shape of the bumper beam 14 .
- the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 of the carrier 18 may extend along an arc that is substantially the same as an arc of the bumper beam 14 . In this way, the first leg 24 and second leg 26 of the carrier 18 may abut the bumper beam 14 along a length of the first leg 24 and second leg 26 between the two ends 20 of the energy absorber 16 .
- the wall 22 of the carrier 18 may be shaped to match a shape of the fascia 30 .
- the wall 22 of the carrier 18 may extend along an arc that is the same as an arc of the first leg 24 and/or the second leg 26 . In that case, the wall 22 may abut the fascia 30 along a length of the wall 18 between the two ends 20 of the energy absorber 16 .
- first leg 24 and the second leg 26 may be spaced from each other, and extend from the wall 22 toward the bumper beam 14 in the first direction.
- the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 may extend from the wall 22 toward the bumper beam 14 in the first direction in parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 may extend from the wall 22 toward the bumper beam 14 in the first direction at a non-parallel angle relative to each other.
- the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 may be fixed to the wall 22 .
- the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and the second leg 26 may be integral, i.e., formed together simultaneously as a single, continuous unit.
- the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and the second leg 26 may be simultaneously molded together, e.g., by injection molding.
- the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and/or the second leg 26 may be separately formed, and subsequently fixed together in any suitable way, e.g., using adhesives, fasteners, fusing, welding, etc.
- the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and the second leg 26 may be formed from any suitable material including plastic, a composite, etc.
- the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and the second leg 26 may be formed from the same or from dissimilar materials.
- the carrier 18 may include one or more flanges 32 that define openings 34 .
- Fasteners such as threaded bolts, can extend through the openings 34 into aligned holes (not shown) in, e.g., the bumper beam 14 or the frame, to mount the energy absorber 16 to the vehicle 10 .
- aligned holes not shown
- other suitable materials such as adhesives can also be used to mount the energy absorber 16 to the rest of the vehicle 10 .
- the wall 22 of the carrier 18 is in a vehicle-forward direction relative to the bumper beam 14 when, as shown in FIG. 1 , the energy absorber 16 is mounted to the front end of the vehicle 10 .
- the fins 28 extend from the wall 22 toward the bumper beam 14 in the first direction. Each fin 28 may extend from a first end 44 fixed to the wall 22 to an exposed end 46 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the exposed end 46 is open and visible relative to the carrier 18 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the exposed ends 46 may abut the bumper beam 14 .
- the first ends 44 may be fixed to the first leg 24 and/or the second leg 26 , as set forth below. In other words, the first ends 44 may be spaced from the wall 22 , or may be disconnected from and abutting the wall 22 .
- the fins 28 may taper away from the first leg 24 and second leg 26 in the first direction.
- the fins 28 may be fixed to the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 at an intersection of the wall 22 with the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 , respectively.
- the fins 28 may taper away from the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 from the intersection of the wall 22 with the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 , respectively.
- the fins 28 may be fixed to the first leg 24 and/or the second leg 26 along part or all of the first leg 24 and/or the second leg 26 from the wall to the exposed ends 46 .
- the fins 28 are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L.
- the fins 28 may be formed of plastic, composites, etc.
- the carrier 18 shown in FIGS. 1-4, 6 and 7 includes sixteen fins 28 .
- the carrier 18 may include any suitable number of fins 28 .
- the number of fins 28 in the energy absorber 16 may vary depending on a number of factors. The factors include the spacing between the fins 28 , the materials from which the fins 28 are formed, and a longitudinal length of the energy absorber 16 , among other things.
- the fins 28 may be integral with the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and/or the second leg 26 , i.e., formed together simultaneously as a single, continuous unit.
- the fins 28 may be simultaneously molded with the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and/or the second leg 26 , e.g., by injection molding.
- the fins 28 may be separately formed from the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and/or the second leg 26 , and subsequently fixed to the wall 22 , the first leg 24 , and/or the second leg 26 in any suitable way, e.g., using adhesives, fasteners, fusing, welding, etc.
- the fins 28 may be formed from any suitable material including plastic, a composite, etc.
- the fins 28 may be formed from the same or from dissimilar materials as the wall 22 , the first leg 24 and/or the second leg 26 .
- the energy absorber 16 may include a first plurality 48 of fins 28 and a second plurality 50 of fins 28 , i.e., a first bank of fins 28 and a second bank of fins 28 .
- the fins 28 of the first plurality 48 may extend from the wall 22 in the first direction at the angle A 1 and the fins 28 of the second plurality 50 may extend from the wall 22 in the first direction at an angle A 2 .
- the angle A 1 may be between 60-65 degrees.
- the angle A 2 may be between 60-65 degrees measured from the wall 22 in an opposite direction than A 1 .
- the angle A 1 of the fins 28 of the first plurality 48 may be measured from the wall 22 in the positive direction and the second angle A 2 of the fins 28 of the second plurality 50 may be measured from the wall 22 in the negative direction.
- the first plurality 48 and the second plurality 50 of fins 28 may meet at a center of the carrier 18 .
- the fins 28 of the first plurality 48 and the fins 28 of the second plurality 50 may angle from the wall 22 away from center of the carrier 18 .
- a legform impactor 40 is shown during impact (identified as “F”) with the energy absorber 16 and the bumper beam 14 in a pedestrian protection test, e.g., Euro NCAP or GTR 9.
- the legform impactor 40 may impact the bumper assembly 12 at a speed greater than 30 kph. Due to the relatively high speed of the pedestrian impact test, and the relatively small diameter of the legform impactor 40 , the fins 28 may break away from the wall 22 of the energy absorber 16 , allowing the wall 22 , the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 of the carrier 18 , and the fascia 30 to deform. In this way, the energy absorber 16 may provide a lower stiffness, and absorb more energy from the impact. The fins 28 break away from the wall 22 in these conditions due to the extension of the fins 28 relative to the wall 22 at between 60-65 degrees.
- a bumper impact test device 42 is shown during impact (identified as “F”) with the energy absorber 16 during an LSD test, such as FMVSS Part 581.
- the bumper impact test device 42 may impact the bumper assembly 12 at a lower speed than the pedestrian impact test, e.g., 4 kph.
- the bumper impact test device 42 has a larger diameter than the legform impactor 40 .
- the bumper impact test device 42 applies force to a larger number of the fins 28 , i.e., the force of the bumper impact test device 42 is distributed across a greater number of fins 28 in comparison to the legform impactor 40 .
- the fins 28 may bend and/or otherwise deform rather than break away from the wall 22 , providing the energy absorber 16 with a higher stiffness relative to impacts at higher speeds. In other words, the fins 28 reinforce the fascia 30 during the LSD test. The fins 28 bend and/or deform in these conditions due to the extension of the fins 28 relative to the wall 22 at between 60-65 degrees.
- the extension of the fins 28 relative to the wall 22 at between 60-65 degrees both 1) encourages the fins 28 to break when impacted by the relatively small diameter legform impactor 40 at relatively high speeds to encourage the bumper assembly 12 to deform and absorb energy, and 2) encourages the fins 28 to bend when impacted by the relatively large diameter bumper impact test device 42 at relatively low speeds to encourage the bumper assembly 12 to resist deformation to prevent or limit damage to the fascia 30 .
- the adverb “substantially” modifying an adjective means that a shape, structure, measurement, etc. may deviate from an exact described geometry, distance, measurement, etc., because of imperfections in materials, machining, manufacturing, etc.
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Abstract
An energy absorbing system includes a carrier having a wall extending along a longitudinal axis. The energy absorber has a first leg and a second leg extending in a first direction away from the wall. A plurality of fins are fixed to and extend from the wall in the first direction, at approximately 60 to 65 degrees relative to the wall.
Description
- Bumper assemblies for vehicles may have a stiffness determined by the material and structure of the assembly. The desired stiffness of the bumper assembly may be different depending on vehicle speed. For example, at a low vehicle speed, a higher stiffness may be desired to prevent damage to the vehicle. At a high vehicle speed, a lower stiffness may be desired to absorb energy during a pedestrian impact.
- Vehicle research organizations release test protocols and standards for vehicles directed to specific outcomes. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) releases the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including Part 581, which describes impact test protocols for low speed damageability (“LSD”) of vehicle bumper systems. The test measures damage to a vehicle at low speeds. As another example, the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) releases Global Technical Regulations (GTR), including GTR 9, which measures pedestrian protection. Specifically, the test measures impact on legs of a pedestrian during a front-end vehicle impact, e.g., at speeds greater than 30 KPH. The requirements for LSD and pedestrian protection may result in competing, and counteractive, design concerns.
- There remains an opportunity to design a vehicle bumper assembly that accounts for both low speed damageability and pedestrian impact.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a bumper beam, with an energy absorber and a fascia exploded from the rest of the vehicle. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the energy absorber ofFIG. 1 , with a carrier of the energy absorber shown in hidden lines. -
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the energy absorber ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the energy absorber ofFIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines, and the bumper beam. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the energy absorber and bumper beam alongline 5 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the energy absorber ofFIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines, and the bumper beam, showing an impact with a first object in a pedestrian protection test. -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the energy absorber ofFIG. 1 , with the carrier shown in hidden lines and the bumper beam, showing an impact with a second object in a low speed damageability test. - With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a
bumper assembly 12 for avehicle 10 includes abumper beam 14 and an energy absorber 16. The energy absorber 16 is mounted to thebumper beam 14. As shown inFIG. 1 , theenergy absorber 16 is shown exploded from the rest of thevehicle 10, including thebumper beam 14. Afascia 30, also shown exploded from the rest of the vehicle inFIG. 1 , may cover thebumper assembly 12. - The energy absorber 16 includes a
carrier 18 andfins 28. As shown inFIG. 1 , the energy absorber 16 extends along a longitudinal axis L, with twoends 20 spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L. Thecarrier 18 includes awall 22 extending along the longitudinal axis L, and may include afirst leg 24 and asecond leg 26 spaced from each other and extending from thewall 22 in a first direction. Thefins 28 may be fixed to thewall 22 and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L of thewall 22. Thefins 28 may be disposed between thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26. Eachfin 28 extends from thewall 22 in the first direction at a positive angle A1 and/or a negative angle A2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to thewall 22. - When the energy absorber 16 is mounted to the
bumper beam 14 of thevehicle 10, the energy absorber 16 extends between thebumper beam 14 and thefascia 30, and thefins 28 extend from thewall 22 toward thebumper beam 14. As set forth further below, the extension of thefins 28 from the wall at the positive angle A1 and/or the negative angle A2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to thewall 22 encourages thefins 28 to transfer force from thefascia 30 to thebumper beam 14 with no deformation, and/or minimal deformation, of thefins 28 to reinforce thefascia 30 of thevehicle 10 during a low-speed damageability test, such as FMVSS Part 581. In addition, the extension of thefins 28 from the wall at the positive angle A1 and/or the negative angle A2 between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to thewall 22 encourages the fins to deform and/or break away from thewall 22 to absorb energy during a pedestrian impact test, such as Euro NCAP or GTR 9, which allows thefascia 30 to deform and absorb energy. - The
bumper assembly 12 inFIG. 1 is shown on a front end of thevehicle 10. Additionally or alternatively, thebumper assembly 12 may also be affixed to a rear end of thevehicle 10. Thevehicle 10 may be of any type of passenger or commercial vehicle such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a taxi, a bus, etc. - The
bumper beam 14 may be supported on a frame (not shown) of thevehicle 10 in any suitable way. For example, crush cans (not shown) may be mounted to the frame of thevehicle 10 at a first end of the crush cans, with a second end of the crush cans connected to thebumper beam 14. Alternatively, thebumper beam 14 may be mounted directly to the frame of thevehicle 10 in any suitable way. - As shown in
FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7 , thebumper beam 14 may be curvilinear to a tangent at a longitudinal center of thebumper beam 14. Thebumper beam 14 may deform during frontal impact. Alternatively, thebumper beam 14 may be configured to remain rigid during frontal impact. Thebumper beam 14 may be formed of metal, such as steel or aluminum. - With continued reference to
FIG. 1 , thefascia 30 may cover thebumper assembly 12, including the energy absorber 16 and thebumper beam 14. Thefascia 30 may provide an aesthetic appearance to thevehicle 10, among other things. - The
fascia 30 may be affixed to the energy absorber 16 in any suitable manner. For example, thefascia 30 may be affixed to thewall 22 of thecarrier 18 using low-density foam or the like to allow thefascia 30 to maintain a desired shape. Alternatively or additionally, fasteners of any suitable type may affix thefascia 30 to the energy absorber 16, or to other structures of thevehicle 10, such as the frame. - During a vehicle impact, the
fascia 30 may contact an object, absorbing energy from the object. Thefascia 30 may be flexible and/or brittle relative to thebumper assembly 12. Thefascia 30 may be constructed of any suitable material, e.g., a metal, a polymer (e.g., a plastic), a composite, and the like. - As discussed above, the energy absorber 16 extends along the longitudinal axis L, with the two
ends 20 spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L. Thecarrier 18, including thewall 22, thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26, may be curvilinear to a tangent at a longitudinal center of thecarrier 18, as shown inFIGS. 1-4 . Thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 may be shaped to match a shape of thebumper beam 14. For example, thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 of thecarrier 18 may extend along an arc that is substantially the same as an arc of thebumper beam 14. In this way, thefirst leg 24 andsecond leg 26 of thecarrier 18 may abut thebumper beam 14 along a length of thefirst leg 24 andsecond leg 26 between the twoends 20 of the energy absorber 16. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 1-4 , thewall 22 of thecarrier 18 may be shaped to match a shape of thefascia 30. For example, thewall 22 of thecarrier 18 may extend along an arc that is the same as an arc of thefirst leg 24 and/or thesecond leg 26. In that case, thewall 22 may abut thefascia 30 along a length of thewall 18 between the twoends 20 of the energy absorber 16. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , as set forth above, thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 may be spaced from each other, and extend from thewall 22 toward thebumper beam 14 in the first direction. Thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 may extend from thewall 22 toward thebumper beam 14 in the first direction in parallel to each other, as shown inFIG. 5 . Alternatively, thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 may extend from thewall 22 toward thebumper beam 14 in the first direction at a non-parallel angle relative to each other. - The
first leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 may be fixed to thewall 22. Thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and thesecond leg 26 may be integral, i.e., formed together simultaneously as a single, continuous unit. For example, thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and thesecond leg 26 may be simultaneously molded together, e.g., by injection molding. Alternatively, thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and/or thesecond leg 26 may be separately formed, and subsequently fixed together in any suitable way, e.g., using adhesives, fasteners, fusing, welding, etc. Thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and thesecond leg 26 may be formed from any suitable material including plastic, a composite, etc. Thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and thesecond leg 26 may be formed from the same or from dissimilar materials. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thecarrier 18 may include one ormore flanges 32 that defineopenings 34. Fasteners, such as threaded bolts, can extend through theopenings 34 into aligned holes (not shown) in, e.g., thebumper beam 14 or the frame, to mount theenergy absorber 16 to thevehicle 10. Alternatively or additionally, other suitable materials such as adhesives can also be used to mount theenergy absorber 16 to the rest of thevehicle 10. - The
wall 22 of thecarrier 18 is in a vehicle-forward direction relative to thebumper beam 14 when, as shown inFIG. 1 , theenergy absorber 16 is mounted to the front end of thevehicle 10. Thefins 28 extend from thewall 22 toward thebumper beam 14 in the first direction. Eachfin 28 may extend from afirst end 44 fixed to thewall 22 to anexposed end 46. As shown inFIG. 3 , the exposedend 46 is open and visible relative to thecarrier 18. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 , the exposed ends 46 may abut thebumper beam 14. In the alternative or in addition to the first ends 44 of thefins 28 being fixed to thewall 22, the first ends 44 may be fixed to thefirst leg 24 and/or thesecond leg 26, as set forth below. In other words, the first ends 44 may be spaced from thewall 22, or may be disconnected from and abutting thewall 22. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thefins 28 may taper away from thefirst leg 24 andsecond leg 26 in the first direction. Thefins 28 may be fixed to thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 at an intersection of thewall 22 with thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26, respectively. Thefins 28 may taper away from thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 from the intersection of thewall 22 with thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26, respectively. Alternatively, thefins 28 may be fixed to thefirst leg 24 and/or thesecond leg 26 along part or all of thefirst leg 24 and/or thesecond leg 26 from the wall to the exposed ends 46. - The
fins 28 are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L. Thefins 28 may be formed of plastic, composites, etc. - The
carrier 18 shown inFIGS. 1-4, 6 and 7 includes sixteenfins 28. However, thecarrier 18 may include any suitable number offins 28. The number offins 28 in theenergy absorber 16 may vary depending on a number of factors. The factors include the spacing between thefins 28, the materials from which thefins 28 are formed, and a longitudinal length of theenergy absorber 16, among other things. - The
fins 28 may be integral with thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and/or thesecond leg 26, i.e., formed together simultaneously as a single, continuous unit. For example, thefins 28 may be simultaneously molded with thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and/or thesecond leg 26, e.g., by injection molding. Alternatively, thefins 28 may be separately formed from thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and/or thesecond leg 26, and subsequently fixed to thewall 22, thefirst leg 24, and/or thesecond leg 26 in any suitable way, e.g., using adhesives, fasteners, fusing, welding, etc. Thefins 28 may be formed from any suitable material including plastic, a composite, etc. Thefins 28 may be formed from the same or from dissimilar materials as thewall 22, thefirst leg 24 and/or thesecond leg 26. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , theenergy absorber 16 may include afirst plurality 48 offins 28 and asecond plurality 50 offins 28, i.e., a first bank offins 28 and a second bank offins 28. Thefins 28 of thefirst plurality 48 may extend from thewall 22 in the first direction at the angle A1 and thefins 28 of thesecond plurality 50 may extend from thewall 22 in the first direction at an angle A2. As set forth above, the angle A1 may be between 60-65 degrees. The angle A2 may be between 60-65 degrees measured from thewall 22 in an opposite direction than A1. In other words, the angle A1 of thefins 28 of thefirst plurality 48 may be measured from thewall 22 in the positive direction and the second angle A2 of thefins 28 of thesecond plurality 50 may be measured from thewall 22 in the negative direction. - The
first plurality 48 and thesecond plurality 50 offins 28 may meet at a center of thecarrier 18. Thefins 28 of thefirst plurality 48 and thefins 28 of thesecond plurality 50 may angle from thewall 22 away from center of thecarrier 18. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , alegform impactor 40 is shown during impact (identified as “F”) with theenergy absorber 16 and thebumper beam 14 in a pedestrian protection test, e.g., Euro NCAP or GTR 9. In the pedestrian impact test, thelegform impactor 40 may impact thebumper assembly 12 at a speed greater than 30 kph. Due to the relatively high speed of the pedestrian impact test, and the relatively small diameter of thelegform impactor 40, thefins 28 may break away from thewall 22 of theenergy absorber 16, allowing thewall 22, thefirst leg 24 and thesecond leg 26 of thecarrier 18, and thefascia 30 to deform. In this way, theenergy absorber 16 may provide a lower stiffness, and absorb more energy from the impact. Thefins 28 break away from thewall 22 in these conditions due to the extension of thefins 28 relative to thewall 22 at between 60-65 degrees. - In
FIG. 7 , a bumperimpact test device 42 is shown during impact (identified as “F”) with theenergy absorber 16 during an LSD test, such as FMVSS Part 581. In such an LSD test, the bumperimpact test device 42 may impact thebumper assembly 12 at a lower speed than the pedestrian impact test, e.g., 4 kph. The bumperimpact test device 42 has a larger diameter than thelegform impactor 40. Thus, the bumperimpact test device 42 applies force to a larger number of thefins 28, i.e., the force of the bumperimpact test device 42 is distributed across a greater number offins 28 in comparison to thelegform impactor 40. Due to the relatively low speed of the LDS test, and the relatively large diameter of the bumperimpact test device 42, thefins 28 may bend and/or otherwise deform rather than break away from thewall 22, providing theenergy absorber 16 with a higher stiffness relative to impacts at higher speeds. In other words, thefins 28 reinforce thefascia 30 during the LSD test. Thefins 28 bend and/or deform in these conditions due to the extension of thefins 28 relative to thewall 22 at between 60-65 degrees. Thus, the extension of thefins 28 relative to thewall 22 at between 60-65 degrees both 1) encourages thefins 28 to break when impacted by the relatively smalldiameter legform impactor 40 at relatively high speeds to encourage thebumper assembly 12 to deform and absorb energy, and 2) encourages thefins 28 to bend when impacted by the relatively large diameter bumperimpact test device 42 at relatively low speeds to encourage thebumper assembly 12 to resist deformation to prevent or limit damage to thefascia 30. - As used herein, the adverb “substantially” modifying an adjective means that a shape, structure, measurement, etc. may deviate from an exact described geometry, distance, measurement, etc., because of imperfections in materials, machining, manufacturing, etc.
- The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims (19)
1. A bumper assembly, comprising:
a bumper beam extending along a longitudinal axis;
a carrier mounted to the bumper beam, the carrier having a wall spaced from the bumper beam and extending along the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of fins fixed to the carrier and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis;
wherein each fin extends from the wall toward the bumper beam at an angle between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall; and
the carrier having a first leg and a second leg spaced from each other and each extending from the wall toward the bumper beam, the fins disposed between the first leg and the second leg.
2. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are fixed to the wall.
3. (canceled)
4. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins taper away from the first leg and the second leg in a direction toward the bumper beam.
5. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are fixed to the first leg and to second leg at the wall.
6. The bumper assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fins taper away from the first leg and the second leg in a direction toward the bumper beam.
7. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wall, the first leg, the second leg, and the fins are integral with each other.
8. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wall and the fins are integral to each other.
9. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the fins abut the bumper beam.
10. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins abut the bumper beam.
11. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of fins fixed to the wall and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, and extending from the wall toward the bumper beam at a second angle between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall, the angle of the plurality of fins being measured in a positive direction and the second angle of the second plurality of fins being measured in a negative direction.
12. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fascia, with the carrier between the fascia and the bumper beam.
13. An energy absorber, comprising:
a carrier including a wall extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first leg and a second leg spaced from each other and extending in a first direction away from the wall;
a plurality of fins spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, each fin being fixed to the carrier, the fins disposed between the first leg and the second leg;
wherein each fin extends from the wall in the first direction at between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall.
14. The energy absorber of claim 13 , wherein the fins are fixed to the wall.
15. The energy absorber of claim 13 , wherein the fins are fixed to the first leg and to the second leg at the wall.
16. The energy absorber of claim 15 , wherein the fins taper away from the first leg and the second leg in the first direction.
17. The energy absorber of claim 13 , wherein the wall, the first leg, the second leg, and the fins are integral with each other.
18. The energy absorber of claim 13 , wherein the wall and the fins are integral with each other.
19. The energy absorber of claim 13 , further comprising a second plurality of fins fixed to the wall and spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, and extending from the wall in the first direction at a second angle between approximately 60-65 degrees relative to the wall, the angle of the plurality of fins being measured in a positive direction and the second angle of the second plurality of fins being measured in a negative direction.
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/159,758 US9827933B1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2016-05-19 | Energy absorber with fixed angled fins |
GB1707446.9A GB2551261A (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-09 | Energy absorber with fixed angled fins |
DE102017110110.1A DE102017110110A1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-10 | ENERGY ABSORPTION ELEMENT WITH FIXED ANGLED RIBS |
CN201710334235.8A CN107415876B (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-12 | Energy absorber with fixed angle wings |
MX2017006329A MX2017006329A (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-15 | Energy absorber with fixed angled fins. |
RU2017117221A RU2017117221A (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-18 | BUMPER ASSEMBLY AND ENERGY ABSORBER FOR VEHICLES |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/159,758 US9827933B1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2016-05-19 | Energy absorber with fixed angled fins |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170334381A1 true US20170334381A1 (en) | 2017-11-23 |
US9827933B1 US9827933B1 (en) | 2017-11-28 |
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Family Applications (1)
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US15/159,758 Active US9827933B1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2016-05-19 | Energy absorber with fixed angled fins |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US9827933B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN107415876B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102017110110A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2551261A (en) |
MX (1) | MX2017006329A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2017117221A (en) |
Cited By (5)
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JP2018202897A (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2018-12-27 | 株式会社Subaru | Bumper beam structure |
US20190308576A1 (en) * | 2018-04-09 | 2019-10-10 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle energy absorber |
US10640066B1 (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2020-05-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle energy absorber |
JP2022081891A (en) * | 2020-11-20 | 2022-06-01 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle body front structure |
USD1022824S1 (en) * | 2021-12-15 | 2024-04-16 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Hood for a vehicle |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10046723B1 (en) * | 2017-03-14 | 2018-08-14 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Self-adaptive, energy-absorbing bumper |
DE102020106435A1 (en) | 2020-03-10 | 2021-09-16 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Deformation device and bumper of a motor vehicle |
CN115835984A (en) * | 2020-07-10 | 2023-03-21 | 宁波吉利汽车研究开发有限公司 | Collapsible rear bumper middle support, rear bumper and vehicle |
FR3127176A1 (en) * | 2021-09-20 | 2023-03-24 | Psa Automobiles Sa | Bumper device for a motor vehicle comprising a shock absorber |
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FR2827235B1 (en) * | 2001-07-16 | 2003-10-03 | Plastic Omnium Cie | MOTOR VEHICLE BUMPER BEAM AND BUMPER PROVIDED WITH SUCH A BEAM |
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FR2847868B1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2005-03-18 | Plastic Omnium Cie | BEAM HULL AND METAL REINFORCED BEAM |
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-
2016
- 2016-05-19 US US15/159,758 patent/US9827933B1/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-05-09 GB GB1707446.9A patent/GB2551261A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-05-10 DE DE102017110110.1A patent/DE102017110110A1/en active Pending
- 2017-05-12 CN CN201710334235.8A patent/CN107415876B/en active Active
- 2017-05-15 MX MX2017006329A patent/MX2017006329A/en unknown
- 2017-05-18 RU RU2017117221A patent/RU2017117221A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (8)
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JP2018202897A (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2018-12-27 | 株式会社Subaru | Bumper beam structure |
US10604092B2 (en) | 2017-05-30 | 2020-03-31 | Subaru Corporation | Bumper beam structure |
US20190308576A1 (en) * | 2018-04-09 | 2019-10-10 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle energy absorber |
US10618485B2 (en) * | 2018-04-09 | 2020-04-14 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle energy absorber |
US10640066B1 (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2020-05-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle energy absorber |
JP2022081891A (en) * | 2020-11-20 | 2022-06-01 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle body front structure |
JP7213222B2 (en) | 2020-11-20 | 2023-01-26 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Body front structure |
USD1022824S1 (en) * | 2021-12-15 | 2024-04-16 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Hood for a vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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GB201707446D0 (en) | 2017-06-21 |
US9827933B1 (en) | 2017-11-28 |
MX2017006329A (en) | 2018-08-28 |
GB2551261A (en) | 2017-12-13 |
CN107415876A (en) | 2017-12-01 |
RU2017117221A (en) | 2018-11-19 |
CN107415876B (en) | 2022-06-21 |
DE102017110110A1 (en) | 2017-11-23 |
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