Vehicle energy absorber
A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a fin supported by the bumper beam. The fin has a proximate end proximate to the bumper beam and a distal end distal to the bumper beam and an axis extending from the proximate end to the distal end. The fin has a sinuous shape in a cross section normal to the axis.
1. A bumper assembly, comprising:
a bumper beam;
a plate supported by the bumper beam extending in a cross-vehicle direction from a first end to a second end and including a center between the first and second ends; and
a plurality of fins supported by the plate, the fins each having a proximate end proximate to the plate and a distal end distal to the plate, and an axis extending from the proximate end to the distal end;
wherein the fins each have a sinuous shape in a cross section normal to the axis;
wherein the plate defines a first side between the first end and the center and a second side between the second end and the center, and wherein all of the fins disposed on the first side of the plate have a same first orientation and all of the fins disposed on the second side of the plate have a same second orientation mirroring the first orientation.
2. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are spaced along a longitudinal axis of the bumper beam.
3. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal ends each present a flat surface, the flat surfaces defining a plane, and each fin has a sinuous cross section in the plane.
4. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are evenly spaced along the bumper beam.
5. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are spaced along the bumper beam in the cross-vehicle direction.
6. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal end has a distal flat surface.
7. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fascia, wherein each fin is disposed between the bumper beam and the fascia.
8. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sinuous shape includes a first curve and a second curve.
9. The bumper assembly of claim 8 , wherein each fin has a center line, the first curve defines a first opening, and the second curve defines a second opening, the first opening opposing the second opening about the center line.
10. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein each fin has a material thickness increasing from the proximate end to the distal end.
11. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximate end extends to the distal end in a vehicle-forward direction.
12. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cross section is substantially constant from the proximate end to the distal end.
13. The bumper assembly of claim 1 , wherein each fin is constructed of a plastic.