Description:A BUMPER ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure belongs to a bumper assembly of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the bumper assembly, where the bumper assembly is provided with a bumper reinforcement structure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Figure 1 depicts a conventional design of a bumper assembly (200) in a front-end structure of a vehicle. The bumper assembly comprises of a bumper system (202) positioned horizontally along width of the vehicle. Herein, it may be observed that a shroud (204) is coupled to a bumper system (202). Consequently, air from outside is guided from a grille opening (206) to the shroud (204) directly.
[0003] However, owing to the styling requirements of a vehicle and presence of multiple assembly parts, there is a tendency of bumper sagging due to its own weight. Consequently, this increases gap between the hood and the bumper assembly parts.
[0004] Though the above issue can be mitigated by placement of a simple reinforcement, however, if reinforcement is added on the bumper for improvement in rigidity and strength, some of the air openings may get covered by the reinforcement, resulting in reduced intake of the fresh air inside engine room. This in turn increases temperature of the intake air leading to increased temperature inside engine room, further resulting into degraded engine performance and increase in fuel consumption.
[0005] Towards this direction, the present disclosure intends to design and develop a structure that is able to circumvent the above-mentioned limitations and also provide rigidity and robustness to the bumper assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0008] It is a significant object of the present disclosure to develop a reinforcement structure in a bumper assembly of the vehicle such that the reinforcement structure is able to guide required amount of fresh intake air entering from a grille opening towards the suction intake.
[0009] It is another significant object of the present disclosure to develop the reinforcement structure in the bumper assembly such that the reinforcement structure is able to prevent bumper sagging.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to design and develop the reinforcement structure in the bumper assembly such that dent performance of front bumper of the vehicle is improved.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to develop the reinforcement structure in the bumper assembly such that the rigidity and robustness of the bumper assembly is enhanced.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter, will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description, taken into consideration with accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a bumper assembly of a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, there is provided the bumper assembly of a vehicle. In an aspect, the bumper assembly comprises a bumper system extending along width of the vehicle, a shroud mounted to an inner surface of the bumper system and a bumper reinforcement positioned in between the bumper system and the shroud.
[0015] In an aspect, the bumper reinforcement comprises a central pillar, a first segment extending from a first end of the central pillar along width of the vehicle, where the first segment comprises of a plurality of vertical channels positioned adjacent to each other along width of the bumper reinforcement, a second segment extending from a second end of the central pillar which is opposite to the first end along width of vehicle.
[0016] In an aspect, the second segment comprises of a plurality of vertical channels positioned adjacent to each other along width of the bumper reinforcement.
[0017] In an aspect, the first segment defines a deflector positioned in an upper portion of the first segment, where the deflector is configured to deflect air entering from a grille opening towards an intake suction.
[0018] In an aspect, other end of the first segment and the second segment defines a first pillar and a second pillar at left hand side end and right hand side end of the bumper reinforcement, respectively.
[0019] In an aspect, a lower portion of the first segment is provided with a first set of plurality of holes positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
[0020] In an aspect, an upper portion of the second segment is provided with a second set of plurality of holes positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
[0021] In an aspect, a lower portion of the second segment is provided with a third set of plurality of holes positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
[0022] In an aspect, length (l1) of the first set of plurality of holes is less than length (l2) of the third set of plurality of weight saving holes.
[0023] In an aspect, a bottom portion of the central pillar is defining a mounting portion to facilitate mounting of radar assembly.
[0024] In an aspect, the plurality of vertical channels provided in the first segment and the second segment respectively, are chamfer shaped to facilitate ease in assembly of the bumper reinforcement in between the bumper system and the shroud.
[0025] In an aspect, plurality of vertical channels is provided with a zigzag section along length and width.
[0026] In an aspect, there is provided a plurality of strengthening ribs positioned laterally along each of the plurality of vertical channels with angular orientation of the plurality of vertical channels and the plurality of strengthening ribs being same.
[0027] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0028] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0029] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. A detailed description is given with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to refer like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which.
[0030] Figure 1 depicts a conventional design of a bumper assembly in existing vehicles;
[0031] Figure 2 (a-b) depicts a bumper assembly of a vehicle with and without the presence of a shroud in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0032] Figure 3 (a-e) depicts a bumper reinforcement and its structural attributes in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
[0035] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0036] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0037] The present disclosure is related to a bumper assembly of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a bumper reinforcement in the bumper assembly. Herein, the bumper reinforcement not only provides rigidity and robustness to the bumper assembly, but also provides suitable guidance to the intake air coming through a grille opening of the vehicle thereby maintaining intake air temperature. The salient features of the bumper assembly and the bumper reinforcement are detailed in subsequent sections.
[0038] Figure 2 (a-b) depicts a bumper assembly of a vehicle with and without the presence of a shroud in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to the figures, it may be observed that the bumper assembly (100) may comprise of a bumper system (102), a shroud (104) and a bumper reinforcement (106).
[0039] In an aspect, the bumper system (102) is extending along width of the vehicle. Herein, the shroud (104) is coupled to an inner surface of the bumper system (102).
[0040] In an aspect, further there is provided the bumper reinforcement (106) positioned in between the bumper system (102) and the shroud (104).
[0041] In an aspect, as it can be observed from the figure, the bumper reinforcement (106) is attached to the inner surface of the bumper system (102). The shroud (104), on the other hand, is directly mounted on the inner surface of the bumper system (102) with positive mounting.
[0042] Figure 3 (a-e) depicts the bumper reinforcement (106) and its structural attributes in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bumper reinforcement (106) comprises of a central pillar (108), a first pillar (116) positioned at left hand side end of the central pillar (108) and a second pillar (118) positioned at right hand side end of the central pillar (108).
[0043] In an aspect, there is provided a first segment (110) and a second segment (112) extending from a first end and a second end (opposite to the first end), respectively, of the central pillar (108) along width of the vehicle.
[0044] In an aspect, the first segment (110) and the second segment (112) comprise of a plurality of vertical channels (112-1) positioned adjacent to each other along width of the bumper reinforcement (106). The plurality of vertical channels (112-1) may also be angularly inclined depending on stylistic requirements of the bumper. Herein, as can be specifically observed from Figure 3 (a) and 3 (b), the first segment (110) defines a deflector (114) positioned in an upper portion (110-U) of the first segment (110). The deflector (114) helps to deflect air entering from a grille opening towards an intake suction. Thus, intake air is guided suitably and in adequate quantity thereby maintaining intake air temperature and preventing unnecessary heating up of an engine compartment of the vehicle (also shown in Figure 3 (b)).
[0045] In an aspect, there is further provided three sets of plurality of holes (120, 122, 124) at various regions of the first segment (110) and the second segment (112). A lower portion (110-L) of the first segment is provided with a first set of plurality of holes (120) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction. Further, an upper portion (112-U) of the second segment (112) is provided with a second set of plurality of holes (122) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
[0046] In an aspect, furthermore a lower portion (112-L) of the second segment (112) is also provided with a third set of plurality of holes (124) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
[0047] In an embodiment, these three sets of plurality of holes (120, 122, 124) are weight saving holes and are incorporated to provide rigidity to the bumper reinforcement (106) without adding considerably into weight of the bumper reinforcement (106).
[0048] In an aspect, as can be observed from the figures, length (l1) of the first set of plurality of holes (120) is less than length (l2) of the third set of plurality of holes (124).
[0049] In another embodiment, this dimensional configuration of the plurality of holes (120, 124) helps to facilitate efficient deflection of air towards the intake suction thereby avoiding air leakage.
[0050] Referring to Figure 3 (a) and 3 (c), it may be observed that a bottom portion (108-B) of the central pillar (108) is defining a mounting portion (126) in order to facilitate mounting of radar assembly. This helps in improving accuracy and also reduce part level variations while the vehicle is in operation.
[0051] In an aspect, from Figure 3 (d) and 3 (e), it may be observed that plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) provided in the first segment (110) and the second segment (112), respectively, are provided with chamfer shape at its lower side so as to facilitate ease in assembly of the bumper reinforcement (106) in between the bumper system (102) and the shroud (104). Additionally, the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) is also provided with a zigzag section (128) (as shown in Figure 3(d)) across the entire length and width to enhance strength and improve dent performance of the bumper assembly (100).
[0052] In an aspect, as shown in Figure 3 (e), there is provided a plurality of strengthening ribs (130) positioned laterally along each of the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1). It may be noted that the plurality of strengthening ribs (130) is having same angular orientation as that of the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1). The presence of the plurality of strengthening ribs (130) not only provides strength to the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1), but also aids in strength of the overall structure.
Technical Advantages
[0053] All in all, the present invention has the following advantages:
i) The deflector (114) present in the bumper reinforcement (106) helps to suitably maintain intake air temperature.
ii) The bumper reinforcement (106) prevents bumper sagging.
iii) The bumper reinforcement (106) provides rigidity and robustness to the bumper assembly (100).
iv) The zigzag section (128) in the bumper reinforcement (106) improves dent performance of the bumper.
Equivalents
[0054] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the above-mentioned description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0055] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0056] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0057] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

, Claims:We Claim:

1. A bumper assembly (100) of a vehicle, the bumper assembly (100) comprising:
- a bumper system (102) extending along width of the vehicle;
- a shroud (104) mounted to an inner surface of the bumper system (102); and
- a bumper reinforcement (106) positioned in between the bumper system (102) and the shroud (104), wherein the bumper reinforcement (106) comprises:
a central pillar (108),
a first segment (110) extending from a first end of the central pillar (108) along width of the vehicle, wherein the first segment (110) comprises of a plurality of vertical channels (110-1) positioned adjacent to each other along width of the bumper reinforcement (106),
a second segment (112) extending from a second end of the central pillar (108) which is opposite to the first end along width of vehicle, the second segment (112) comprises of a plurality of vertical channels (112-1) positioned adjacent to each other along width of the bumper reinforcement (106),
the first segment (110) defining a deflector (114) positioned in an upper portion (110-U) of the first segment (110), wherein the deflector (114) is configured to deflect air entering from a grille opening towards an intake suction.
2. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein other end of the first segment (110) and the second segment (112) defines a first pillar (116) and a second pillar (118) at left hand side end and right hand side end of the bumper reinforcement (106), respectively.
3. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower portion (110-L) of the first segment (110) is provided with a first set of plurality of holes (120) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
4. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper portion (112-U) of the second segment (112) is provided with a second set of plurality of holes (122) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
5. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower portion (112-L) of the second segment (112) is provided with a third set of plurality of holes (124) positioned adjacent to each other along horizontal direction.
6. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3 and claim 5, wherein length (l1) of the first set of plurality of holes (120) is less than length (l2) of the third set of plurality of holes (124).
7. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom portion (108-B) of the central pillar (108) is defining a mounting portion (126) to facilitate mounting of radar assembly.
8. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) provided in the first segment (110) and the second segment (112), respectively, are chamfer shaped to facilitate ease in assembly of the bumper reinforcement (106) in between the bumper system (102) and the shroud (104).
9. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) is provided with a zigzag section (128) along length and width.
10. The bumper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided a plurality of strengthening ribs (130) positioned laterally along each of the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) with angular orientation of the plurality of vertical channels (110-1, 112-1) and the plurality of strengthening ribs (130) being same.

Dated this 29th day of January, 2024

AMIT JAIN
IN/PA – 2189
OF L. S. DAVAR & CO.,
APPLICANT’S AGENT