# US 10,479,429 B2 · Process for manufacturing bumper reinforcement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,429 B2 - Document ID: US10479429B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/757,576 - Filed: 2016-09-02 - Published: 2018-09-06 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-03 - Assignees: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Naoki Kamiya - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479429B2 ## CPC - B62D 65/16: the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers {, exhausts} - B21D 22/208: {by heating the blank or deep-drawing associated with heat treatment (C21D takes precedence)} - B21D 24/00: Special deep-drawing arrangements in, or in connection with, presses - B21D 53/88: other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards - B60R 19/04: formed from more than one section {in a side-by-side arrangement} - B60R 19/18: {characterised by the cross-section;} Means within the bumper to absorb impact - B60R 19/34: destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type - B60R 2019/1813: {made of metal} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A process for manufacturing a bumper reinforcement having a length, wherein the bumper reinforcement is disposed in front or rear of an automobile body with the length directed in transverse direction of the automobile body. The process includes joining a central part and lateral parts of unequal thicknesses to form a planar tailored blank. The process further includes press forming the tailored blank by hot pressing to produce a bumper reinforcement having a length and an M-shaped open cross section, the bumper reinforcement being curved at end portions of the length toward the open side of the cross section relative to a central portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for manufacturing a bumper reinforcement having a length, wherein the bumper reinforcement is disposed in front or rear of an automobile body with the length directed in transverse direction of the automobile body, the process comprising: joining a central part and lateral parts of unequal thicknesses to form a planar tailored blank; and press forming the tailored blank by hot pressing to produce a bumper reinforcement having a length and an M-shaped open cross section, the bumper reinforcement being curved at end portions of the length toward the open side of the cross section relative to a central portion, the bumper reinforcement comprising a central narrower section, end wider sections having a larger width than the central narrower section, and intermediate widening sections gradually widening from the central narrower section to the end wider sections, such that after the hot pressing the joints of unequal thicknesses between the central part and the lateral parts are located within the intermediate widening section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising mounting crash boxes between the end wider sections of the bumper reinforcement and the automobile body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, the thickness of the central part of the tailored blank being larger than the thickness of the lateral parts. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, the central part and the lateral parts of the tailored blank being made of the same material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the step of press forming the tailored blank forms a flange at the opening of the M-shaped open cross section, the process further comprising welding a stiffener bracket to the flange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, the bumper reinforcement of the M-shaped open cross section being open longitudinally inward in the automobile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, the end portions of the length of the bumper reinforcement being curved toward the automobile body relative to the central portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4, wherein the step of press forming the tailored blank forms a flange at the opening of the M-shaped open cross section, the process further comprising welding a stiffener bracket to the flange. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4, the bumper reinforcement of the M-shaped open cross section being open longitudinally inward in the automobile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4, the end portions of the length of the bumper reinforcement being curved toward the automobile body relative to the central portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The process of claim 3, the central part and the lateral parts of the tailored blank being made of the same material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The process of claim 3, wherein the step of press forming the tailored blank forms a flange at the opening of the M-shaped open cross section, the process further comprising welding a stiffener bracket to the flange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The process of claim 3, the bumper reinforcement of the M-shaped open cross section being open longitudinally inward in the automobile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The process of claim 3, the end portions of the length of the bumper reinforcement being curved toward the automobile body relative to the central portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The process of claim 11, wherein the step of press forming the tailored blank forms a flange at the opening of the M-shaped open cross section, the process further comprising welding a stiffener bracket to the flange. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The process of claim 11, the bumper reinforcement of the M-shaped open cross section being open longitudinally inward in the automobile. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The process of claim 11, the end portions of the length of the bumper reinforcement being curved toward the automobile body relative to the central portion.