[001] The subject matter in general relates to a front bumper system of a vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to improving the rigidity of the front bumper system of the vehicle.
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] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is a conventional front bumper system 100 in a vehicle. The conventional front bumper system 100 is located below a hood 108 of the vehicle. The conventional front bumper system 100 comprises a bumper 102 and a grille extension 104. The grille extension 104, as the name suggests, is an extension of a grille 106 of the vehicle. The bumper 102 extends along a width of the vehicle. The grille extension 104 is located behind the bumper 102 and the grille extension 104 extends along a length of the bumper 102.
[004] In the conventional front bumper system 100, the grille extension 104 is in close contact to the bumper 102 throughout its length or the grille extension 104 is equidistant from the bumper 102 for the entirety of its length.
[005] Referring again to the FIG. 1, the bumper 102 and the grille extension 104 are attached to a body panel 110 of the vehicle. In the conventional front bumper system 100, wherein the grille extension 104 and the bumper 102 are in close proximity for the entire width of the vehicle, the conventional front bumper system 100 tends to rotate about a bending line 112. The bending line 112 is formed at the step surfaces formed on the bumper 102. The bending line 112 is a weak zone of the bumper 102 and is subject to deformation on application of load or force. The conventional front bumper system 100 is attached to the body panel 110 of the vehicle using fastening system for e.g. bolting 114. The rotation of the conventional front bumper system 100 about the bending line 112 moves the conventional front bumper system 100 away from the hood 108 of the vehicle, thereby increasing the gap between the hood 108 and the conventional front bumper system 100. Further, the bumper 102 sags downward because of its own weight which again increases the gap between the hood 108 and the conventional front bumper system 100. These are undesirable features and there needs to be a system that mitigates the rotation of the conventional front bumper system 100 and avoids sagging of the conventional front bumper system 100 and thereby maintains the constant predetermined gap (not increasing the gap) between the hood 108 and the front bumper system 100 of the vehicle.
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 a front bumper system for improving rigidity at the front portion of a vehicle.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose a front bumper system that mitigates the rotation the front bumper system about a point where the front bumper system is connected to a body panel of the vehicle.
[009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a front bumper system that mitigates the increase in a gap between the front bumper system and a hood of the vehicle.
[0010] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a front bumper system that retains the aesthetics of the front portion of the vehicle.
[0011] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a front bumper system that increases the section modulus and the rigidity of the front bumper system.
[0012] 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
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a front bumper system 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] The present disclosure relates to a front bumper system for improving rigidity at the front portion of a vehicle. The front bumper system comprises a bumper and a grille extension. The bumper extends along a width of a vehicle. The bumper forms an outside portion of the front bumper system. The grille extension is provided behind the bumper. The grille extension extends along a length of the bumper. The grille extension defines a plurality of hollow boxes such that there is an empty space defined between the bumper and the grille extension. Each of the hollow box is partitioned by a resting structure. The resting structure is in contact with the bumper.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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:
[0017] FIG. 1 discloses a conventional front bumper system 100 of a vehicle;
[0018] FIG. 2 discloses an exploded isometric view of a front bumper system 200, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3 discloses an isometric view of a grille extension 202 of the front bumper system 200, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 4 discloses a cross section view of the front bumper system 200 along axis AA shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0021] FIG. 5 discloses a cross section view of the front bumper system 200 along axis BB shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0022] 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
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, disclosed is an exploded isometric view of a front bumper system 200, in accordance with an embodiment. The front bumper system 200 comprises a bumper 204 and a grille extension 202. The bumper 204 extends along a width of a vehicle and forms an outside portion of the front bumper system 200. The grille extension 202 extends from a front grille 208 of the vehicle. The bumper 204 comprises a portion 206 that covers the grille extension 202 of the vehicle.
[0030] The grille extension 202 of the front bumper system 200 extends along the length of the bumper portion 206 of the bumper 204.
[0031] For the purposes of this description, the portion 206 of the bumper 204 that is contact with the grille extension 202 will also be referred to as the bumper 204.
[0032] The bumper 204 and the grille extension 202 of the front bumper system 200 are attached to a body panel 404 of the vehicle (shown in FIGs. 4 and 5).
[0033] In an embodiment, the front bumper system 200 is located below a hood 400 of the vehicle (shown in FIGs. 4 and 5).
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, disclosed is an isometric view of the grille extension 202 of the front bumper system 200, in accordance with an embodiment. The grille extension 202 defines a plurality of hollow boxes 300. Each of the hollow box 300 is partitioned by a resting structure 302. The grille extension 202 of the front bumper system 200 comprises of a vertical surface 304 and a horizontal surface 306. A plurality of step portions 308 are provided at the joinery of the vertical surface 304 and the horizontal surface 306, thereby improving the rigidity of the grille extension 202. The plurality of step portions 308 at specified gaps provide rigidity to the grille extension 202 and eventually to the front bumper system 200.
[0035] FIG. 4 discloses a cross section view of the front bumper system 200 along an axis AA shown in FIG. 3. The axis AA is drawn along one of the resting structure 302 of the grille extension 202. As seen from the FIG. 4, the resting structure 302 is configured to be in contact with the bumper 204.
[0036] FIG. 5 discloses a cross section view of the front bumper system 200 along an axis BB shown in FIG. 3. The axis BB is drawn along one of the hollow boxes 300 of the grille extension 202. As seen from the FIG. 5, each of the hollow boxes 300 are configured to define an empty space between the bumper 204 and the grille extension 202.
[0037] Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, the presence of intermittent hollow boxes 300, whereby there is an empty space defined between the bumper 204 and the grille extension 202, and the resting structure 302, whereby the bumper 204 and the grille extension 202 are in contact with each other, the section modulus of the front bumper system 200 is increased. The presence of the plurality of step portions 308 increase the rigidity of the grille extension 202, thereby improving the rigidity of the front bumper system 200.
[0038] Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, disclosed is a bending line 402 that may be formed on the bumper which is supported by the resting surface 302 at predetermined location and hence avoids any downward movement of the front bumper system 200. Further, the front bumper system 200 is attached to the body panel 404 of the vehicle using fastening system for e.g. bolting 406.
[0039] The increase in the rigidity and the section modulus of the front bumper system 200 mitigates the rotation of the front bumper system 200 about the bending line 402 and also avoids the sagging of the bumper 204 because of its own weight. This restricted rotation of the front bumper system 200 about the bending line 402 eliminates the increase in a gap 500 (shown in FIG. 5) between the hood 400 and the front bumper system 200 and thereby maintains the predetermined gap between them. The elimination in the increase in the gap 500 between the hood 400 and the front bumper system 200 retains the aesthetics of the front portion of the vehicle.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0040] The present disclosure proposes a front bumper system for improving rigidity at the front portion of a vehicle.
[0041] The present disclosure proposes a front bumper system that mitigates the rotation the front bumper system about a point where the front bumper system is connected to a body panel of the vehicle.
[0042] The present disclosure proposes a front bumper system that mitigates the increase in a gap between the front bumper system and a hood of the vehicle.
[0043] The present disclosure proposes a front bumper system that retains the aesthetics of the front portion of the vehicle.
[0044] The present disclosure proposes a front bumper system that increases the section modulus and the rigidity of the front bumper system.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.

Claims:We claim:
1. A front bumper system (200) of a vehicle, the front bumper system (200) comprising:
a bumper (204) extending along a width of a vehicle, the bumper (204) forms an outside portion of the front bumper system (200); and
a grille extension (202) provided behind the bumper (204), the grille extension (202) extends along a length of the bumper (204), the grille extension (202) defines a plurality of hollow boxes (300) such that there is an empty space defined between the bumper (204) and the grille extension (202).

2. The front bumper system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grille extension (202) defines a plurality of hollow boxes (300), wherein each of the hollow boxes (300) is partitioned by a resting structure (302), wherein the resting structure (302) is in contact with the bumper (204).

3. The front bumper system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front bumper system (200) comprising a grille (208), wherein the grille extension (202) extends upwards from the grille (208).

4. The front bumper system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bumper (204) and the grille extension (202) are attached to a body panel (404) of the vehicle.

5. The front bumper system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow boxes (300) defined by the grille extension (202) increases the section modulus of the front bumper system (200).

6. The front bumper system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grille extension (202) comprises a vertical surface (304) and a horizontal surface (306), wherein a plurality of step portion (308) is provided at the joinery of the vertical surface (304) and the horizontal surface (306).