Patent · US Expired

Vehicle bumper beam

US6971691B1 · kind B1 · utility

34Cited by
33References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2004
Grant dateDec 6, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2019/1826
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A bumper beam includes an open front section made from a high-strength material such as ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) material, and further includes a mating back section made of lower-strength material attached to a rear side of the front section along abutting flanges. The front and back sections combine to define different tubular cross sections. The front section can be roll-formed, and the back section can be stamped, thus taking advantage of roll-forming processes' ability to form high-strength materials, while allowing the back section to have a more complicated shape and be stamped. The abutting flanges telescopingly overlap in a fore-aft direction of the vehicle and are welded together at locations that potentially experience shear upon impact, but the flanges of the front section are captured within the flanges of the backs section, thus providing impact strength even if the attachment locations shear off.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.