IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,163,242
Granted Patent B2
US 7,163,242 · App. 11/029,435 · Granted Jan 16, 2007

Bumper system with energy absorber

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,163,242
App. No.
11/029,435
Granted
Jan 16, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bumper system for an automobile vehicle includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a beam configured to attach to the vehicle, and an energy absorber coupled to the beam. The energy absorber includes a body, an upper crushable member extending from the body, and a lower crushable member extending from the body and spaced apart from the upper crushable member. The upper and lower crushable members each include an upper transverse wall, a lower transverse wall, and an outer wall. Each upper transverse wall and each lower transverse wall includes alternating solid portions and open portions. Each solid and open portion extends from the body to the outer wall of a crushable member. The solid portions of the lower transverse wall of the upper crushable member are aligned with the open portions of the upper transverse wall of the lower crushable member.

Claims (41)

1. A bumper system for an automobile vehicle, said bumper system comprising:

a beam configured to attach to the vehicle; and

an energy absorber coupled to said beam, said energy absorber comprising:

a body having a first side and an opposing second side, said second side facing said beam,

an upper crushable member extending from said first side of said body; and

a lower crushable member extending from said first side of said body and spaced apart from said upper crushable member;

said upper and lower crushable members each comprising an upper transverse wall, a lower transverse wall, and an outer wall, each said upper transverse wall and each said lower transverse wall comprising alternating solid portions and open portions, each solid and open portion extending from said body to said outer wall,

wherein said solid portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member, and said solid portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member.

2. A bumper system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape.

3. A bumper system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape.

4. A bumper assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body comprises a flanged frame for attachment to said beam.

5. A bumper system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energy absorber comprises a thermoplastic material.

6. A bumper system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said energy absorber comprises an injection molded thermoplastic material.

7. A bumper system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said beam comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, thermoplastic, and glass mat thermoplastic.

8. A bumper assembly for an automobile vehicle, said bumper assembly comprising:

a beam having a top surface and a bottom surface, said beam configured to attach to the vehicle;

an energy absorber coupled to said beam; and

a fascia attached to said energy absorber to substantially envelop said beam and said energy absorber;

said energy absorber comprising:

a body having a first side and an opposing second side, said second side facing said beam,

an upper crushable member extending from said first side of said body; and

a lower crushable member extending from said first side of said body and spaced apart from said upper crushable member;

said upper and lower crushable members each comprising an upper transverse wall, a lower transverse wall, and an outer wall, each said upper transverse wall and each said lower transverse wall comprising alternating solid portions and open portions, each solid and open portion extending from said body to said outer wall,

wherein said solid portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member, and said solid portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member.

9. A bumper system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape.

10. A bumper system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape.

11. A bumper assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said body comprises a flanged frame for attachment to said beam.

12. A bumper system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said energy absorber comprises a thermoplastic material.

13. A bumper system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said energy absorber comprises an injection molded thermoplastic material.

14. A bumper system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said beam comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, thermoplastic, and glass mat thermoplastic.

15. An energy absorber for a vehicle bumper system, said energy absorber comprising:

a body having a first side and an opposing second side;

an upper crushable member extending from said first side of said body; and

a lower crushable member extending from said first side of said body and spaced apart from said upper crushable member;

said upper and lower crushable members each comprising an upper transverse wall, a lower transverse wall, and an outer wall, each said upper transverse wall and each said lower transverse wall comprising alternating solid portions and open portions, each solid and open portion extending from said body to said outer wall,

wherein said solid portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member, and said solid portions of said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member are aligned with said open portions of said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member.

16. A bumper system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a concave cross-sectional shape.

17. A bumper system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said lower transverse wall of said upper crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape and said upper transverse wall of said lower crushable member has a convex cross-sectional shape.

18. A bumper assembly in accordance with claim 15 wherein said body comprises a flanged frame for attachment to said beam.

19. A bumper system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said energy absorber comprises a thermoplastic material.

20. A bumper system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said energy absorber comprises an injection molded thermoplastic material.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2014
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
Reel/Frame 032459/0798 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 18, 2008
From: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021423/0001 →