Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type
Patent
1998-07-24
1999-12-07
Pape, Joseph D.
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
293121, 293122, B60R 1902
Patent
active
059970588
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structural beam, or bumper, especially for a vehicle, comprising an elongated profile which, upon collision, is adapted for absorbing collision energy and forces. The bumper is prepared from a complete and hollow blank and is further provided with different cross sections along its more or less arched extension.
The invention also relates to a method of fabricating such a structural beam or bumper.
2. Description of the Related Art
EP 0 602 138 B1 (Norsk Hydro/Clausen) discloses a structural beam, especially for use in a vehicle frame. The structural beam is constituted by an integrated unitary extruded forming piece having a closed cross section, which, along its length, defining a hollow space having variable cross sectional surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the task of providing a bumper which combines the protection of a vehicle and the persons in the vehicle upon collision.
Further, the invention has for its objective to provide a bumper which excels in high torsional stiffness, combined with great bending softness.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bumper rendering the possibility of structural sturdy attachment to the frame of the vehicle.
An object of the present invention is also to provide an elastic and relatively slender structural beam or bumper which, in relation to previously known profile based, closed bumpers, may absorb more elastic bending energy in relation to the quantity of material used.
Further, the present invention relates to a method which renders a efficient production of bumpers, the method at the same time being specifically favorable for high rate forming in a production line.
These and other objects are achieved in a bumper, which is characterized in that the structural beam or bumper has a substantially unchanged cross section on each side of the center, an outwardly pressed cross section at the center in relation to the basic cross section, as well as a compressed or folded cross section at the areas of each of the terminal portions.
Consequently, by starting with a basic cross section which is kept unchanged on each side of the center, at the same time as the center portion is processed into an outwardly pressed cross section at the center, and at the same time as the terminal portions are processed into a compressed or folded cross section, there is achieved a particularly favorable varying cross section rendering a specifically favorable resilient effect upon collision at velocities up to 4 km/h. Also, at velocities above 4 km/h, the structural beam in the form of a bumper has good collision qualities, since the overall profile can absorb more energy even at a lower weight, in comparison to corresponding bumper rails.
Additionally, there is achieved very favorable torsional stiffness, by maintaining the hollow chamber profile and by processing the bumper blank as a single item.
A specific embodiment of such a bumper may include the cross section at each side of the center comprises an outer wall portion, an arched inner wall portion, as well as yoke portions extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer wall portion so that the cross section at the center has a substantially trapeze shaped cross section comprising an outer wall portion having substantially the same height as the intermediate cross section and an inner wall portion of lesser height, as well as substantially slanted yoke portions extending therebetween, and that the cross section at each of the terminal portions has an outer wall portion having substantially the same height as the intermediate cross section and an inner wall portion having larger, equal or less height and having intermediate, arched or wavy yoke portions.
The trapeze shaped cross section at the center can then, by simple processing of the original yoke portions and the arched surfaces of the inner wall, be given a predetermined shape. The basic cross section at each side of
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patent: 1985113 (1934-12-01), Smith
patent: 4408790 (1983-10-01), Shimoda et al.
patent: 4961603 (1990-10-01), Carpenter
patent: 5462325 (1995-10-01), Masuda et al.
patent: 5722708 (1998-03-01), Jonsson
patent: 5799991 (1998-09-01), Glance
Norsk Hydro ASA
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran
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