Bumper beam with crush cans
View Patent ↗A bumper assembly ( 10 ) for an automotive vehicle is described. In an example embodiment, the assembly comprises a beam and a fascia at least partially covering the beam. The beam comprises at least one crush can ( 12 ).
1. A bumper assembly comprising:
a beam comprising:
at least one crush can;
a first channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall;
a second channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall; and
a back wall extending between said lower traverse wall of said first channel and said upper traverse wall of said second channel;
said back wall, said lower traverse wall of said first channel, and said upper traverse wall of said second channel defining a third channel located between said first channel and said second channel; and
a fascia for covering at least a portion of said beam.
2. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein said beam comprises a thermoplastic.
3. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein said beam comprises a unitary elongated thermoplastic body.
4. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein said crush can is tunable.
5. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein said beam further comprises a frame.
6. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein a first crush can is configured to align with a first vehicle rail, and a second crush can is configured to align with a second vehicle rail.
7. A bumper assembly according to claim 1 wherein said crush can comprises a plurality of spaced walls, and wherein at least one of wall spacing, wall angles, wall thickness, and wall material is selectable.
8. An energy absorbing beam for a vehicle, said beam comprising a frame and a body extending from said frame, said body comprising:
a first channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall;
a second channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall; and
a back wall extending between said lower traverse wall of said first channel and said upper traverse wall of said second channel;
said back wall, said lower traverse wall of said first channel, and said upper traverse wall of said second channel defining a third channel located between said first channel and said second channel; and
at least one crush can.
9. An energy absorbing beam according to claim 8 further comprising a first vehicle rail attachment portion and a second vehicle rail attachment portion, each of said vehicle rail attachment portions configured to align and secure to a respective vehicle rail.
10. An energy absorbing beam according to claim 9 wherein said beam comprises a thermoplastic.
11. An energy absorbing beam according to claim 9 wherein said beam comprises a unitary elongated thermoplastic body.
12. An energy absorbing beam according to claim 9 wherein said crush can is tunable.
13. An energy absorbing beam according to claim 9 wherein said crush can comprises a plurality of spaced walls, and wherein at least one of wall spacing, wall angles, wall thickness, and wall material is selectable.
14. A molded plastic beam for a vehicle, said beam comprising:
at least one crush can;
a first channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall;
a second channel comprising an upper traverse wall, a lower traverse wall, and an outer wall; and
a back wall extending between said lower traverse wall of said first channel and said upper traverse wall of said second channel;
said back wall, said lower traverse wall of said first channel, and said upper traverse wall of said second channel defining a third channel located between said first channel and said second channel.
15. A beam according to claim 14 further comprising a frame and a body extending from said frame, said body comprising a first and a second flange, with a channel between said first and second flanges.
16. A beam according to claim 14 wherein a first crush can is configured to align with a first vehicle rail, and a second crush can is configured to align with a second vehicle rail.
17. A beam according to claim 14 wherein said beam comprises a thermoplastic.
18. A beam according to claim 14 wherein said beam comprises a unitary elongated thermoplastic body.
19. A beam according to claim 14 wherein said crush can is tunable.
20. A beam according to claim 14 wherein said crush can comprises a plurality of spaced walls, and wherein at least one of wall spacing, wall angles, wall thickness, and wall material is selectable.