Bumper system with face-mounted energy absorber
US6874832B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2019/1866
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bumper includes a beam and an energy absorber supported thereon. The energy absorber includes horizontal walls, each having a front portion, a rear portion, and an interconnecting mid-portion that offsets and misaligns the front and rear portions. Upon impact, the front and rear portions collapse with the offset mid portion wrapping back upon itself with a predictable energy-absorbing collapse. The energy absorber further includes flanges and friction pads that frictionally engage the top and bottom of the beam to temporarily retain the energy absorber to the beam. In one embodiment, the front beam wall includes at least one aperture, and the energy absorber includes a tubular column extending from its front wall through the aperture in the front beam wall to the rear beam wall. By this arrangement, the front wall of the energy absorber receives support from the front beam wall via the structural column.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.