FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle bumper structures, and, in particular, to an integrated impact absorber at lower portion of 5 the vehicle bumper for absorbing impact energy at lower leg area during vehicle collision with the pedestrian. In more particularly, the present subject matter relates to a bumper with integrated impact absorber along front width of the bumper to absorb impact energy.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART: 10
[002] Current bumper systems are formed of plastic material to absorb impact energy during collision. Further, the bumper system has an energy absorber which absorbs energy during pedestrian impact with the vehicle. There are several zones, such as upper leg and lower leg where vehicle hit the pedestrian. Further, the pedestrian leg injury is much more severe during front impact at upper and lower 15 leg area because the upper and lower portion of the bumper are mounted on the solid upper and lower cross members. Further, impact absorbers are provided in between the cross members and upper and lower portion of the bumper to absorb the impact energy.
[003] To make the vehicle safe for pedestrians, safety regulations issued by the 20 government are to be followed. If any vehicle does not fulfill the safety regulations, it would be dangerous for pedestrians. Further, the government would reject the vehicles to be launched on road.
[004] It is general practice in the art to mount the lower portion of the bumper face directly to the lower cross member. In the present mounting concept, the 25 lower portion of the vehicle moves inside during vehicle collision with a pedestrian which in turn may result in severe injuries if pedestrian falls on ground which is main technical problem in the art. There are several solutions available to
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prevent inside movement of the lower portion of the bumper which has its own limitations and disadvantages.
[005] Fig. 1a illustrates conventional design of bumper with the lower portion with additional energy absorber to absorb the impact energy. In the conventional designs, an energy absorber 102 is placed in between lower portion of bumper 101 5 and lower cross member 103. The Bumper 101 is mounted on the energy absorber 102 via clips or bolts. Further, the energy absorber 102 is mounted with the lower crossmember 103. Fig. 2 illustrates the cross section view of the conventional design. The cross section view clearly shows the placement of the energy absorber 102 in between the bumper 101 and the lower cross member 103. The energy 10 absorber 102 can be any available energy absorber which can efficiently absorbs the impact energy during collision and prevent inside movement of the lower portion of the bumper. The disadvantage associate with the conventional design is that an extra absorber, i.e., 102 is required to prevent inside movement of the lower portion of the bumper. Further, addition of extra absorber adds cost and 15 weight in the vehicle. Addition of energy absorbers increases the production/service cost and time.
[006] US patent publication 6893064 discloses a front portion of an undercover fastened to a cross member & extends to the front, so that the extension is formed as a mounting bracket for a bumper face. A lower impact absorbing member is 20 integrally formed on the bracket which lower impact absorbing member has a rib provided to erect from the bracket in such a manner as to be opposed to an inner vertical surface of a lower protruding portion of the bumper face and a plurality of beads disposed behind the rib for transmitting an impact from the rib to the cross member, to thereby provide a bumper structure with appropriate impact absorbing 25 function at a lower portion thereof, with a simple structure and without increasing the number of components. In the present US patent, lower impact absorbing member is provided in under-cover of the vehicle which is connected with the engine beam at one end and lower cross member with another end. Disadvantage associated with the US document is that it is complex structure mounted in the 30
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lower area. Further, it also requires an absorber mentioned which is placed at the front end of the absorb bracket. The present design is complex, costly, and it has several mounting areas and fasteners which increase assembly time.
[007] In order to prevent inside movement and energy absorbing efficiency of the bumper at lower portion, sometime foam based absorbers are position in 5 between the bumper and the vehicle cross members. Adding of these absorbers results in the cost increase of the bumper assembly of the vehicle. Further, the existing energy absorbers are expensive, complex in designing and manufacturing, and these also increase the assembly time. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a bumper that can be more simple and inexpensive, and which restrict 10 inside movement of the bumper and absorbs impact energy.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[008] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a bumper which absorbs impact energy and prevents bending of lower leg of pedestrian.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bumper with 15 integrated impact absorber at lower portion for restricting the inside movement of the bumper during vehicle impact with the pedestrian.
[0010] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide an integrated impact absorber which is supported by a plurality of ribs to absorb impact energy during vehicle impact with the pedestrian. 20
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bumper with integrated impact absorber which is simple and inexpensive, and efficiently absorbs the impact energy at the lower portion of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a bumper with integrated 25 impact absorber to restrict inside movement of lower portion of the bumper and absorb impact energy during vehicle impact with the pedestrian. The bumper of the vehicle, particularly, front bumper has two portions, upper portion and lower portion. The lower portion of the bumper is mounted with lower cross member.
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The lower portion has an integrated impact absorber which is integrally formed on inner surface of the lower portion of the bumper. The integrated impact absorber is molded with the lower portion of the bumper. The shape of the integrated impact absorber can be C-shaped or rectangular C-shaped or < shaped. The integrated impact absorber having any shape is molded with the lower portion of 5 the bumper. The open face of the integrated impact absorber receives flange of the lower cross member and restrict inside movement of the bumper during collision. The lower portion of the bumper is directly mounted on the lower cross member via clips/ bolts. The integrated impact absorber is supported by a plurality of ribs at back side. The plurality of ribs is provided along length of the integrated impact 10 absorber of the bumper. The plurality of ribs provides strength to the integrated impact absorber. During the collision, the plurality of ribs deforms to absorb impact energy.
[0013] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with 15 reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] 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 20 considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and 25 components. Some embodiments of system or methods 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:
[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates design of the conventional bumper with an energy absorber across width of the vehicle as known in the art; 30
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[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates cross section structure of the conventional bumper as known in the art;
[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates bumper with integrated impact absorber, in accordance in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates engagement of lower cross member with the integrated 5 impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates partial exploded view of the engagement of lower cross member with the integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0020] Fig. 6 illustrates cross section view of the engagement of lower cross 10 member with the integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] 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 15 methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0022] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a bumper with integrated impact absorber to restrict inside movement of lower portion of the bumper and 20 absorb impact energy during vehicle impact with the pedestrian. The bumper of the vehicle, particularly, front bumper has two portions, upper portion and lower portion. The lower portion of the bumper is mounted with lower cross member. The lower portion has an integrated impact absorber which is integrally formed on inner surface of the lower portion of the bumper. The integrated impact absorber 25 is molded with the lower portion of the bumper. The shape of the integrated impact absorber can be C-shaped or rectangular C-shaped or < shaped. The integrated impact absorber having any shape is molded with the lower portion of the bumper. The open face of the integrated impact absorber receives flange of the
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lower cross member and restrict inside movement of the bumper during collision. The lower portion of the bumper is directly mounted on the lower cross member via clips/ bolts. The integrated impact absorber is supported by a plurality of ribs at back side. The plurality of ribs is provided along length of the integrated impact absorber on the lower portion of the bumper. The plurality of ribs provides 5 strength to the integrated impact absorber. During the collision, the plurality of ribs deforms to absorb impact energy.
[0023] 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 10 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 arrangements 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 15 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 20 present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0024] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be 25 described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. 30
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[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates bumper with integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bumper 200 of the vehicle, particularly, front bumper has two portions, upper portion (not shown in the figures) and lower portion 201. The upper portion is mounted on the upper cross member (not shown in the figures) having capabilities to absorb upper leg impact. 5 The upper portion may have several means to absorb impact energy. The means of absorbing impact energy may be absorber, foam based absorber, plastic based absorber, etc. The lower portion 201 has angled bent portion 202 which is used for mounting the bumper 200 with lower cross member. The lower portion 201 has mounting flanges 205 for mounting the bumper 200 on the lower cross member 10 via clips and bolts. The lower portion 201 has as an integrated impact absorber 203 which is integrally formed on inner surface of the bent portion of the lower portion 201. The integrated impact absorber 203 is molded with the lower portion 201 of the bumper 200. The shape of the integrated impact absorber 203 can be C-shaped or rectangular C-shaped or < shaped. In the C-shaped or rectangular C-15 shaped or < shaped structure of the integrated impact absorber 203, a portion protrudes from inner surface of the lower portion 201 at an angle. The protruded portion bents at the end and extends horizontally and forms a closed surface which is open at front end only. The integrated impact absorber 203 receives flange of the lower cross member from the opened front end of the closed surface. The 20 integrated impact absorber 203 can have any shape which has closed surface with front open end to receive flange of the lower cross member and closed back surface to restrict inside movement of the flange of the lower cross member. Therefore, the shape of the impact absorber cannot be restricted to above mentioned shapes. The base portion of each shape is molded with the lower 25 portion 201 of the bumper 200. The open front face of the integrated impact absorber 203 receives flange of the lower cross member and restrict inside movement of the bumper during vehicle impact with the pedestrian.
[0026] The integrated impact absorber 203 is supported by a plurality of ribs 204 which provides strength to the integrated impact absorber 203. The number of ribs 30 204 can be optimized as per requirements. The plurality of ribs 204 is provided
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along the length of the integrated impact absorber 203 on the lower portion 201. The plurality of ribs 204 restricts the inside movement of the bumper during collision by supporting the integrated impact absorber 203 from backside. The plurality of ribs 204 provides strength to the integrated impact absorber 203 and deforms to absorb impact energy during collision. 5
[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates engagement of lower cross member with the integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bumper 200 is mounted on the lower cross member 206. The lower portion 201 of the bumper 200 is directly mounted the lower cross member 206 via clips 207. During the vehicle impact with the pedestrian, the lower portion 201 of the 10 bumper 200 moves inside and applies pressure on the lower cross member 206. Due to pressure, the mounting clips 207 broke down and the integrated impact absorber 203 restrict the inside movement of the lower cross member 206. The plurality of ribs 204 deforms during collision and absorbs the impact energy.
[0028] Fig. 5 illustrates partial exploded view of the engagement of lower cross 15 member with the integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The integrated impact absorber 203 engages with the flange of the lower cross member 206. Further, the lower portion 201 is directly mounted onto the lower cross member 206 via clips as shown in figure 4. The flange of the lower cross member 206 enters in the closed area of the integrated 20 impact absorber from the open end.
[0029] Fig. 6 illustrates cross section view of the engagement of lower cross member with the integrated impact absorber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 6 clearly illustrates the engagement of the integrated impact absorber 203 with the flange of the lower cross member. The 25 lower portion 201 has an integrated impact absorber 203 with an open end to receive the flange of the lower absorber 206. Further, the integrated impact absorber is supported by the plurality of ribs 204 at the back side to restrict inside movement and absorb impact energy during collision.
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[0030] It is easy to manufacture the present integrated impact absorber in the lower portion of the bumper. The present integrated impact absorber can be easily manufactured during molding process of the bumper. Further, the bumper with the integrated impact absorber can be assembled easily on the lower cross member. as there is no extra absorber added in the present bumper, the present bumper is light 5 weighted compared to the typical lower absorbers used across the industry. Further, the material, thickness, and number of ribs can be optimized based on specific vehicle requirement. The present energy absorber is simple and inexpensive.
[0031] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the 10 claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0032] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of 15 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 of 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 20 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 25 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. 30
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[0033] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural 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/component 5 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.

We claim:
1. A bumper (200) for a vehicle to absorb impact energy at lower leg area during the vehicle collision, the bumper (200) comprising:
;
a lower portion (201) which is mounted with lower cross member 5 (206), wherein an integrated impact absorber (203) formed integrally on inner surface of the lower portion (201), the integrated impact absorber (203) restricts inside movement of the lower portion (201) during the vehicle collision.
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2. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact absorber (203) has a C-shaped or rectangular C- shaped structure.
3. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact absorber (203) is supported by a plurality of ribs (204) at back side along 15 length of lower portion of the bumper (200).
4. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact absorber (203) guided along the lower cross member (206) to restrict inside movement of the bumper (200) during the vehicle collision. 20
5. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of ribs (204) reinforces the integrated impact absorber (203).
6. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the integrated impact 25 absorber (203) is molded with the bumper (200).
7. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion (201) of the bumper (200) is directly mounted on the lower cross member (206) via clips/bolts (207). 30
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8. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact absorber (203) is made of same material of the bumper (200).
9. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact absorber (203) has inclined back surface supported by a plurality of ribs 5 (204), wherein a horizontal flange extends outwardly from end portion of the inclined back surface of the integrated impact absorber (203).
10. The bumper (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated impact 10 absorber (200) is provided on the lower portion (201) along front width of the lower cross member (206) to restrict inside movement of the lower portion (201) during the vehicle collision.