TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to pedestrian safety. More
particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to an energy absorber for front bumper.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] The front bumper system of the vehicles must be in compliance with
the pedestrian regulation and low speed impact regulation. During the pedestrian leg impact the front bumper component is required to be soft and crumple to reduce injury values on the leg of the pedestrians. During the slow speed impact the front bumper component is required to be rigid to limit the impactor intrusion. Thus, the front bumper system has to satisfy contradictory safety regulations.
[004] Conventionally, vehicles make use of a box type structure or a bracket
type structure in the front bumper beam. The box type structure is very rigid and doesn't deform easily. Thus, this structure performs well in slow speed impact test performance. However, since the structure is rigid it has poor pedestrian leg form impact test performance. The bracket type structure is easily deformable and hence provides good pedestrian leg form impact test performance. However, since the bracket type structure deforms easily and doesn't have sufficient strength to stop the impactor, it performs poor in slow speed impact test.
[005] Thus, there is a requirement to find a structure that is a perfect balance
between softness and rigidness, whereby fulfilling the contradicting safety requirements.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[006] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some
of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[007] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose an energy absorber
for front bumper in an automobile.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose an energy
absorber that is easily deformable and provides good pedestrian leg form impact test performance.
[009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an energy
absorber that is very rigid and doesn't deform easily, thereby providing good slow speed impact test performance.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an energy absorber for front bumper in an automobile. 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.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to an energy absorber for front bumper in an automobile. The energy absorber comprises a first part defining a first portion and a second portion; and a second part comprising a first component and a second component. The first portion is a C-shaped structure, wherein the first portion

comprises a first element, a second element and a third element. The second element extends to form the second portion. The second portion comprises a first face that is configured to be in contact with a front bumper beam of an automobile. The first component is configured to be received between the first element and the third element. The second component comprises a second face that is configured to be in contact with the front bumper beam of the automobile.
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an energy absorber 100 for front bumper beam 502 in an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0016] FIGs. 2 and 3 are an isometric view of a first part 102 of the energy absorber 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second part 104 of the energy absorber 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 discloses the energy absorber 100 in contact with the front bumper beam 502 of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an energy absorber 600 for front bumper beam 902 in the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a first part 602 of the energy absorber 600, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second part 604 of the energy absorber 600, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 9 discloses the energy absorber 600 in contact with the front bumper beam 902 of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 10 discloses mounting of energy absorber 100 on front end of the apron and an extension of the apron mounted on the long member, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0024] 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
[0025] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0026] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised

that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "consisting" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0028] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0029] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense

unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is an isometric view of an energy
absorber 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The energy absorber 100 comprises a first part 102 and a second part 104 configured to be in contact with each other.
[0032] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, the first part 102 defines a first portion 202 and a second portion 204. The first portion 202 is a C-shaped structure, wherein the first portion 202 comprises a first element 206, a second element 208 and a third element 210. Distal end 302 of the first portion 202 comprises a flange 304 extending outward and transverse to the first portion 202.
[0033] In an embodiment, the flange 304 may extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first portion 202.
[0034] In an embodiment, the flange portion 304 that is adjacent to the first element 206 and the third element 210 defines a mounting hole 306. As shown in figure 10, the mounting hole 306 is configured to mount the energy absorber 100 to a front plate 1001 (mounted on the long member 1003) and an apron 1002 of the automobile. The front plate 1001 is an extension of apron 1002.
[0035] In an embodiment, the first portion 202 defines a first negative emboss 308. The first negative emboss 308 encompasses the first element 206, the second element 208 and the third element 210. The first negative emboss 308 is transverse to the length of the front bumper beam 502. The first negative emboss 308 defines a plurality of slots 310.
[0036] In an embodiment, the second element 208 extends to form the second portion 204. The second portion 204 comprises a first face 212 that is configured to be in contact with a front bumper beam 502 (shown in FIG. 5) of an automobile (not shown).
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, the second part 104 comprises a first component

402 and a second component 404. The first component 402 is configured to be received between the first element 206 and the third element 210 of the first part 102. The first part 102 and the second part 104 are j oined with each other at different locations by means of known welding methods.
[0038] In an embodiment, the second component 404 comprises a second face 406 that is configured to be in contact with the front bumper beam 502 of the automobile. In an embodiment, the first face 212 and the second face 406 are configured to extend away from each other.
[0039] In an embodiment, edges of the first component 402 comprises a first component flange 408 that is configured to be rested on inner surface of the first element 206 and the third element 210 of the first portion 202.
[0040] In an embodiment, the second component 404 of the second part 104 is bent at a predetermined angle towards the first component flange 408. The predetermined angle between the first component 402 and the second component 404 is between -30 to 30 degrees.
[0041] In an embodiment, the first component 402 of the second part 104 defines a third negative emboss 410. The third negative emboss 410 is transverse to the length of the front bumper beam 502 and extends along the height of the automobile.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the first part 102 and the second part 104 are j oined together to form the energy absorber 100. The second portion 204 of the first part 102 and the second component 404 of the second part 104 define a space 504. The second portion 204 of the first part 102 and the second component 404 of the second part 104 along with the space 504 form deformable absorbing portion that caters to the pedestrian leg form impact test performance. During the course of a pedestrian impact at high speed along the direction 506, the first negative emboss 308 along with the third negative emboss 410 facilitates the deformation of the second portion 204 and the second component 404 along with the space 504, thereby preventing

leg injury to the pedestrian.
[0043] The first portion 202 of the first part 102 and the first component 402 of the second part 104 form a rigid box structure that caters to the slow speed impact test performance. During the course of an impact at slow speed along the direction 506, the first portion 202 of the first part 102 and the first component 402 of the second part 104 provides the required rigidity against deformation, thereby enhancing the slow speed test performance of the automobile.
[0044] In an embodiment, the material, length and thickness of the first portion 202, second portion 204, first component 402, second component 404, and the angle between the first component 402 and second component 404, may be optimized to cater to a wide range of automobiles.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, disclosed is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an energy absorber 600, in accordance with an embodiment. The energy absorber 600 comprises a first part 602 and a second part 604 configured to be in contact with each other.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 7, the first part 602 defines a first portion 702 and a second portion 704. The first portion 702 is a C-shaped structure, wherein the first portion 702 comprises a first element 706, a second element 708 and a third element 710. Distal end 718 of the first portion 702 comprises a flange 720 extending outward and transverse to the first portion 702.
[0047] In an embodiment, the flange 720 may extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first portion 702.
[0048] In an embodiment, the flange portion 720 that is adjacent to the first element 706 and the third element 710 defines a mounting hole 722. As shown in fig. 7, the mounting hole 722 is configured to mount the energy absorber 600 to the front plate (mounted on the long member) and the apron of the automobile.
[0049] In an embodiment, the first portion 702 defines a plurality of beads 714.

The at least one of the bead 714 is provided along the intersection of the first element 706 and the second element 708. The at least one of the other bead 714 is provided along the intersection of the second element 708 and the third element 710.
[0050] In an embodiment, the second element 708 extends to form the second portion 704. The second portion 704 comprises a first face 712 that is configured to be in contact with a front bumper beam 902 (shown in FIG. 9) of an automobile.
[0051] In an embodiment, the first face 712 defines a second negative emboss 716 that is parallel to the length of the front bumper beam 902.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, the second part 604 comprises a first component 802 and a second component 804. The first component 802 is configured to be received between the first element 706 and the third element 710.
[0053] In an embodiment, the second component 804 comprises a second face 806 that is configured to be in contact with the front bumper beam 902 of the automobile. In an embodiment, the first face 712 and the second face 806 are configured to extend towards each other.
[0054] In an embodiment, edges of the first component 802 comprises a first component flange 808 that is configured to be rested on inner surface of the first element 706 and the third element 710 of the first portion 702.
[0055] In an embodiment, the first component 802 and the second component 804 of the second part 604 are along a same plane.
[0056] In an embodiment, the first component 802 of the second part 604 defines a fourth negative emboss 810. The fourth negative emboss 810 is along the length of the first component 802.
[0057] In an embodiment, the second face 806 of the second component 804 defines a fifth negative emboss 812. The fifth negative emboss 812 is parallel to the

length of the front bumper beam 902.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 9, the first part 602 and the second part 604 are joined together to form the energy absorber 600. The second portion 704 of the first part 602 and the second component 804 of the second part 604 define a space 904. The second portion 704 of the first part 602 and the second component 804 of the second part 604 along with the space 904 form deformable absorbing portion that caters to the pedestrian leg form impact test performance. During the course of a pedestrian impact at high speed along the direction 906, the second negative emboss 716 along with the fifth negative emboss 812 facilitates the deformation of the second portion 704 and the second component 804, thereby preventing leg injury to the pedestrian.
[0059] The first portion 702 of the first part 602 and the first component 802 of the second part 604 form a rigid box structure that caters to the slow speed impact test performance. During the course of an impact at slow speed along the direction 906, the first portion 702 of the first part 602 and the first component 802 of the second part 604 provide the required rigidity against deformation, thereby enhancing the slow speed test performance of the automobile.
[0060] In an embodiment, the material, length and thickness of the first portion 702, second portion 704, first component 802 and second component 804 may be optimized to cater to a wide range of automobiles.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0061] The present disclosure proposes an energy absorber for front bumper in an automobile.
[0062] The present disclosure proposes an energy absorber that is easily deformable and provides good pedestrian leg form impact test performance.
[0063] The present disclosure proposes an energy absorber that is very rigid and doesn't deform easily, thereby providing good slow speed impact test performance.

[0064] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0065] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0066] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0067] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0068] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present

disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0069] The term "automobile" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving automobile that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term "automobile" is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

We claim:

1. An energy absorber (100, 600) for front bumper beam (502, 902) in an
automobile, the energy absorber (100, 600) comprising:
a first part (102, 602) defining a first portion (202, 702) and a second portion
(204, 704), wherein,
the first portion (202, 702) is a C-shaped structure, wherein the first portion (202, 702) comprises a first element (206, 706), a second element (208, 708) and a third element (210, 710), wherein the second element (208, 708) extends to form the second portion (204, 704); and the second portion (204, 704) comprises a first face (212, 712) that is configured to be in contact with a front bumper beam (502, 902) of the automobile.
a second part (104, 604) comprising a first component (402, 802) and a second
component (404, 804), wherein,
the first component (402, 802) is configured to be received between the first element (206, 706) and the third element (210, 710); and the second component (404, 804) comprises a second face (406, 806) that is configured to be in contact with the front bumper beam (502, 902) of the automobile.
2. The energy absorber (100, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein distal end (302, 718) of the first portion (202, 702) comprises a flange (304, 720) extending outward and transverse to the first portion (202, 702).
3. The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange portion (304) adjacent to the first element (206) and the third element (210) defines a mounting hole (306).

4 .The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (202) defines a first negative emboss (308) encompassing the first element (206), the second element (208) and the third element (210), wherein the first negative emboss (308) is transverse to the length of the front bumper beam
(502).
5. The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first negative emboss (308) defines a plurality of slots (310).
6. The energy absorber (600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (702) defines a plurality of beads (714), wherein the at least one of the bead (714) is provided along the intersection of the first element (706) and the second element (708), and at least one of the other bead (714) is provided along the intersection of the second element (708) and the third element (710).
7. The energy absorber (600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first face (712) defines a second negative emboss (716) parallel to the length of the front bumper beam (902).
8. The energy absorber (100, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein edges of the first component (402, 802) comprises a first component flange (408, 808) that is configured to be rested on inner surface of the first element (206, 706) and the third element (210, 710) of the first portion (202, 702).
9. The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second component (404) of the second part (104) is bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the first component flange (408).
10. The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component (402) of the second part (104) defines a third negative emboss (410), wherein

the third negative emboss (410) is transverse to the length of the front bumper beam (502).
11. The energy absorber (600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component (802) of the second part (604) defines a fourth negative emboss (810), wherein the fourth negative emboss (810) is along the length of the first component (802).
12. The energy absorber (600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second face (806) of the second component (804) defines a fifth negative emboss (812), wherein the fifth negative emboss (812) is parallel to the length of the front bumper beam (902).
13. The energy absorber (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first face (212) and the second face (406) are configured to extend away from each other.
14. The energy absorber (600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first face (212) and the second face (406) are configured to extend towards each other.