DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to bumpers in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a bumper assembly is an energy absorbing structure that is attached to a front end and/or a rear end of a vehicle to minimize deformation of the vehicle in collision. The bumper assembly is also meant to minimize the height mismatches between vehicles and to provide safety to pedestrians during collision. A conventional rear bumper assembly includes a beam structural member, a beam cover plate connected to the beam structural member and an energy absorber connected to the beam structural member. In the aforementioned rear bumper assembly, the beam cover plate, the beam structural member and the energy absorber operatively functions as a bumper that is connected to the vehicle, which absorbs energy during a collision. Another conventional rear bumper assembly includes a plastic composite bumper beam, bumper beam body made of fiber-reinforced plastic composite material and an insert reinforcing member inserted into the bumper beam body, the insert reinforcing member having a loop shape and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam body. The aforementioned rear bumper assembly has better mechanical properties, structural strength, crash performance, load introduction and load distribution to the fixation points.
[003] The aforementioned rear bumper assemblies use a separate bumper beam to absorb energy which in turn increases the manufacturing cost and increases an overall weight of the vehicle. Moreover the conventional rear bumper assemblies require separate mounting structures to mount the bumper beam. Additionally the use of special materials such as fiber-reinforced plastic incurs high manufacturing cost. Further, the conventional rear bumper assemblies require a packaging space between the bumper cover and the body panel to mount the bumper beam thereby increasing an overall length of the vehicle.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional rear bumper assemblies.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of energy absorbing brackets for absorbing the impact energy received by a bumper of the rear bumper assembly during center impact, and a plurality of splash shields for absorbing the impact energy received by the bumper during side impact.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, which eliminates the usage of a separate bumper beam and bumper beam mounting structures thereby reducing an overall weight of the vehicle.
[007] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, which has lesser crushing zone (lesser space between body panel and bumper) thereby reducing an overall length of the vehicle.
[008] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[001] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[002] Fig.1 depicts an exploded view of a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[003] Fig. 2 depicts a rear view of the rear bumper assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[004] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the plurality of energy absorbing brackets and a body panel of the vehicle in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[005] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of an energy absorbing bracket of the rear bumper assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[006] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a splash shield of the rear bumper assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[007] Fig. 6 depicts another perspective view of the splash shield, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[001] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[002] The embodiments herein achieve a rear bumper assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of energy absorbing brackets for absorbing the impact energy received by a bumper of the rear bumper assembly during center impact, and a plurality of splash shields for absorbing the impact energy received by the bumper during side impact. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[003] Fig.1 depicts an exploded view of a rear bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the vehicle (not shown) includes a rear bumper assembly 100, a body panel P and may include other standard systems and components as present in standard vehicle. In an embodiment, the rear bumper assembly 100 includes a plurality of energy absorbing brackets 102, a plurality of splash shields 104 and a bumper B.
[004] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of an energy absorbing bracket 102 of the rear bumper assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each energy absorbing bracket 102 is used to absorb an impact energy received by the bumper B during center impact. In an embodiment, each energy absorbing bracket 102 includes a base 102a, a bumper mounting portion 102b, a plurality of first portions 102c and a plurality of second portions 102d. The bumper mounting portion 102b of each energy absorbing bracket 102 is transversely extending from corresponding base 102a. The bumper mounting portion 102b of each energy absorbing bracket 102 is used to facilitate the mounting of the bumper B to each energy absorbing bracket 102 thereby mounting the bumper B to the body panel P. The bumper mounting portion 102b of each energy absorbing bracket 102 is used to receive an impact load from the bumper B. The bumper mounting portion 102b of each energy absorbing bracket 102 defines an opening O adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the bumper B to each energy absorbing bracket 102. Each first portion 102c of each energy absorbing bracket 102 is transversely extending from the base 102a of corresponding energy absorbing bracket 102. Each second portion 102d of each energy absorbing bracket 102 is transversely extending from each first portion 102c of corresponding energy absorbing bracket 102. Each second portion 102d of each energy absorbing brackets 102 is connected to the body panel P of the vehicle by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each second portion 102d of each energy absorbing bracket 102 with the body panel P by fastening, riveting, adhesive bonding or by any other means. Each second portion 102d of each energy absorbing brackets 102 is used to transmit the impact load to the body panel P. The plurality of energy absorbing brackets 102 are positioned adjacent to a number plate of the bumper B. The plurality of energy absorbing brackets 102 are provided at a pre-defined distance from each other.
[005] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a splash shield 104 of the rear bumper assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein and Fig. 6 depicts another perspective view of the splash shield 104, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each splash shield 104 is used to absorb an impact energy received by the bumper B during side impact. Each splash shield 104 is removably connected to the bumper B and the body panel P. In an embodiment, each splash shield 104 includes at least one energy absorbing portion 104a, a plurality of first openings 104b and a plurality of second openings 104c. The energy absorbing portion 104a of each splash shield 104 is used to absorb the impact energy received by the bumper B during side impact i.e., the energy absorbing portion 104a of each splash shield 104 is used to receive the impact load from the bumper B and transmits the impact load to the body panel P. The energy absorbing portion 104a of each splash shield 104 is at least an emboss. The energy absorbing portion 104a of each splash shield 104 is substantially a H-shaped configuration. The plurality of first openings 104b of each splash shield 104 is adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) therein to removably connect each splash shield 104 to the bumper B. The plurality of second openings 102c of each splash shield 104 is adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) therein to removably connect each splash shield 104 to the body panel P.
[006] The bumper B is removably connected to the body panel P. The bumper B transmits the impact energy to each energy absorbing brackets 102 and each splash shield 104.
[007] The assembly of the rear bumper assembly 100 is as follows. Each energy absorbing bracket 102 is connected to the body panel P by welding. Each splash shield 104 is fastened to the bumper B. Thereafter, the bumper B is fastened to each energy absorbing bracket 104 and the body panel P, and each splash shield 104 is fastened to the body panel P.
[008] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A rear bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle, said rear bumper assembly 100 comprising:
at least one energy absorbing bracket 102 adapted to absorb an impact energy received by a bumper B of said bumper assembly 100, said energy absorbing bracket 102 having a base 102a; a bumper mounting portion 102b extending from the base 102a, where the bumper mounting portion 102b is adapted to facilitate the mounting of the bumper B to said energy absorbing bracket 102; a plurality of first portions 102c extending from the base 102a; and a plurality of second portions 102d extending from corresponding first portion 102c, where each second portion 102d is adapted to be connected to a body panel P of the vehicle,
wherein
the bumper mounting portion 102b is adapted to receive an impact load from the bumper B; and each second portion 102d is adapted to transmit the impact load to the body panel P of the vehicle.

2. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bumper mounting portion 102b of said energy absorbing bracket 102 defines an opening O adapted to receive a fastener therein to removably connect the bumper B to said energy absorbing bracket 102.
3. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bumper mounting portion 102b is substantially transverse to the base 102a of said energy absorbing bracket 102.

4. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein each first portion 102c is substantially transverse to the base 102a of said energy absorbing bracket 102.

5. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein each second portion 102d is substantially transverse to corresponding first portion 102c of said energy absorbing bracket 102.

6. A rear bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle, said rear bumper assembly 100 comprising:
at least one energy absorbing bracket 102 adapted to absorb an impact energy received by a bumper B of said bumper assembly 100 during center impact, said energy absorbing bracket 102 having a base 102a; a bumper mounting portion 102b extending from the base 102a, where the bumper mounting portion 102b is adapted to facilitate the mounting of the bumper B to said energy absorbing bracket 102; a plurality of first portions 102c extending from the base 102a; and a plurality of second portions 102d extending from corresponding first portion 102c, where each second portion 102d is adapted to be connected to a body panel P of the vehicle; and
at least one splash shield 104 defining at least one energy absorbing portion 104a adapted to absorb an impact energy received by the bumper B during side impact, where said splash shield 104 is adapted to be removably connected to the bumper B and the body panel P,
wherein
the bumper mounting portion 102b of said energy absorbing bracket 102 is adapted to receive an impact load from the bumper B; and each second portion 102d of said energy absorbing bracket 102 is adapted to transmit the impact load to the body panel P of the vehicle.

7. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein the energy absorbing portion 102a of said splash shield 104 is at least an emboss.

8. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 7, where the energy absorbing portion 102a of said splash shield 104 is substantially a H-shape configuration.

9. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said splash shield 104 defines a plurality of first openings 102b adapted to receive fasteners therein to removably connect said splash shield 104 to the bumper B.

10. The rear bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 9, wherein said splash shield 104 defines a plurality of second openings 102c adapted to receive fasteners therein to removably connect said splash shield 104 to the body panel P.