Systems for increasing airflow past a vehicle energy absorber
Systems and other embodiments described herein relate to vehicle collision energy absorption with increased airflow towards an engine compartment of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes a front energy absorber with a first top surface having an angle and a rear energy absorber with a second top surface that is curved. The rear energy absorber is separated from the front energy absorber by a gap and a plane of the first top surface is tangential to the second top surface.
1 . A vehicle energy absorption system, comprising:
a front energy absorber with a first top surface having an angle; and
a rear energy absorber with a second top surface that is curved, the rear energy absorber is separated from the front energy absorber by a gap and a plane of the first top surface is tangential to the second top surface.
2 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein the front energy absorber extends below and in front of the rear energy absorber in a vehicle length direction.
3 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , further comprising a rib formed on a back surface of the front energy absorber, wherein the rib is transverse to a vehicle length direction.
4 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 3 , wherein:
the rib and first top surface form a notch in the front energy absorber;
a front surface of the rear energy absorber is separated from the first top surface by a vertical portion of the gap; and
a bottom surface of the rear energy absorber is separated from the rib by a horizontal portion of the gap.
5 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein the front energy absorber further comprises:
a vertical front surface; and
a downward-sloping bottom surface such that the front energy absorber has a convex profile in a vehicle length direction.
6 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein the rear energy absorber and the front energy absorber are individually attachable to a frame of a vehicle.
7 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein the rear energy absorber is stiffer than the front energy absorber.
8 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein the rear energy absorber and the front energy absorber are formed of different materials.
9 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 7 , wherein:
the rear energy absorber is formed of a first foam having a first density; and
the front energy absorber is formed of a second foam having a second density that is less than the first density.
10 . The vehicle energy absorption system of claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the front energy absorber overlaps a lower portion of the rear energy absorber in a vehicle length direction.