Multifunctional bumper assembly
View Patent ↗A multifunctional bumper assembly, for use with a vehicle, which provides energy absorption structure as well as an air intake assembly housed within the interior of the bumper assembly to increase engine compartment space. The bumper assembly has an elongated wall having a generally C-shaped cross section internally defining a channel housing the air intake assembly. The air intake assembly includes an elongated duct having inlet and outlet ends and a housing for an intake air filter element connected intermediate the ends for filtering air drawn in through the inlet end and discharged through the outlet end to an engine air intake.
1. An automotive bumper assembly for extending laterally across an end of an automotive vehicle, said bumper assembly comprising:
an elongated wall having a generally C-shaped cross section internally defining a channel; and
an air intake assembly extending lengthwise in the channel, the intake assembly including an elongated duct having inlet and outlet ends and an intake air filter connected intermediate the ends for filtering air drawn in through the inlet end and discharged through the outlet end to an engine air intake.
2. A bumper assembly as in claim 1 including an access opening extending through the elongated wall and allowing maintenance access to the air filter.
3. A bumper assembly as in claim 2 wherein the air filter is removable through the access opening.
4. A bumper assembly as in claim 2 including an access panel adapted to cover the access opening.
5. A bumper assembly as in claim 4 wherein the access panel has an outward facing surface adapted to hold a license plate.
6. A bumper assembly as in clam 4 wherein the access panel is a door openable for access to the filter.
7. A bumper assembly as in claim 4 wherein the access panel is removable for access to the filter.
8. A bumper assembly as in claim 1 wherein the air intake assembly is harmonically tuned.
9. A bumper assembly as in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the duct is forward facing to receive air from a ram-air inlet extending through the elongated wall to provide ram-air induction to the air intake assembly.
10. A bumper assembly as in claim 9 wherein the ram-air inlet includes baffles operative to limit water intrusion to the air intake assembly.
11. A bumper assembly as in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the duct draws air from an open side of the channel.
12. An automotive bumper assembly for extending laterally across an end of an automotive vehicle, said bumper assembly comprising:
an elongated wall having a generally C-shaped cross section internally defining a channel;
an inner mounting member connected with the elongated wall and adapted for mounting the bumper assembly to a vehicle; and
an air intake assembly extending lengthwise in the channel between the mounting member and the elongated wall, the intake assembly including an elongated duct having inlet and outlet ends and an intake air filter connected intermediate the ends for filtering air drawn in through the inlet end and discharged through the outlet end to an engine air intake.
13. A bumper assembly as in claim 12 including an access opening extending through the elongated wall and allowing maintenance access to the air filter.
14. A bumper assembly as in claim 13 wherein the air filter is removable through the access opening.
15. A bumper assembly as in claim 13 including an access panel adapted to cover the access opening.
16. A bumper assembly as in claim 15 wherein the access panel has an outward facing surface adapted to hold a license plate.
17. A bumper assembly as in claim 15 wherein the access panel is a door openable for access to the filter.
18. A bumper assembly as in claim 15 wherein the access panel is removable for access to the filter.
19. A bumper assembly as in claim 12 wherein the air intake assembly is harmonically tuned.
20. A bumper assembly as in claim 12 wherein the inlet of the duct is forward facing to receive air from a ram-air inlet extending through the elongated wall to provide ram-air induction to the air intake assembly.
21. A bumper assembly as in claim 20 wherein the ram-air inlet includes baffles operative to limit water intrusion to the air intake assembly.