Patent · US Expired

Bumper system with energy absorber

US7172227B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
122References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2005
Grant dateFeb 6, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/4998
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A bumper system includes a bumper beam having a face and ends, and an energy absorber mounted on the face. The energy absorber has a one-piece injection-molded non-foam piece with box sections and interconnecting straps, and a one-piece or multi-piece foam component securely insert-molded onto the injection-molded non-foam piece. Different foam molds can be used to form differently shaped front surfaces on the foam component. By this arrangement, different energy absorbing systems are provided for vehicles, such as to satisfy the need for different styling and shapes, while still using the same non-foam piece. By this arrangement, the energy absorber is a single unit that can be handled and attached to the bumper beam. At the same time, capital investment in molding dies and tooling is reduced.

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