Bumper system and bumper operation method for vehicle closure module
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael J. Gardynik, David Brian Glickman, Mark Joseph Courtright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system includes a closure module of a vehicle. The closure module is pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and is configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a breakaway mount of the vehicle, and a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base. The bumper assembly engages the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle.
Claims17
A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system, comprising:
- a closure module of a vehicle, the closure module pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position;
- a breakaway mount of the vehicle;
- and
- a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base, the bumper assembly engaging the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle,
- wherein the breakaway mount comprises a platform providing an aperture, a halo, and a plurality of spokes supporting the halo within the aperture of the platform, the base of the bumper assembly coupled to the halo to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle,
- wherein the plurality of spokes of the breakaway mount are configured to sever in response to a load applied to the head that exceeds a threshold load, the halo and the bumper assembly detached from the platform when the plurality of spokes are severed,
- wherein the platform is configured to attach to a replacement plate assembly after the halo is detached from the platform, the replacement plate assembly providing an attachment location for the bumper assembly or another bumper assembly when the replacement plate assembly is attached to the platform.
A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system, comprising:
- a closure module of a vehicle, the closure module pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position;
- a breakaway mount of the vehicle;
- a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base, the bumper assembly engaging the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle,
- wherein the breakaway mount comprises a platform providing an aperture, a halo, and a plurality of spokes supporting the halo within the aperture of the platform, the base of the bumper assembly coupled to the halo to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle,
- wherein the plurality of spokes of the breakaway mount are configured to sever in response to a load applied to the head that exceeds a threshold load, the halo and the bumper assembly detached from the platform when the plurality of spokes are severed;
- and
- a replacement plate assembly that is configured to attach to the platform after the halo is detached from the platform, the replacement plate assembly providing an attachment location for the bumper assembly or another bumper assembly when the replacement plate assembly is attached to the platform.
A vehicle closure module breakaway mount replacement method, comprising:
- providing a breakaway mount that includes a platform having an aperture, a halo holding a bumper assembly, and a plurality of spokes, the plurality of spokes severed such that the halo and the bumper assembly are detached from the platform, the plurality of spokes severed to manage a load associated with moving a closure module of a vehicle from a closed position to an overtravel position;
- removing the halo and the bumper assembly from the platform;
- and
- attaching a replacement plate assembly to the platform, the replacement plate assembly including a replacement bumper assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.