Reinforced composite impact beam for a bumper assembly and method
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorPradip K. Syamal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rear composite impact beam includes front, rear, top and bottom walls formed from glass fibers encapsulated by a resin. Longitudinal ductile reinforcing members are provided at the intersections of the front wall with the top and bottom walls to enhance flexural strength in a region of the impact beam which receives predominantly tension loads during impact. If desired, similar longitudinal ductile reinforcing members are provided at the intersections of the rear wall with the top and bottom walls and retained by the resin to enhance flexural strength at a region of the impact beam which receives predominately compression loads during impact. If desired, a reinforcing web of woven ductile strands can be provided in at least the rear wall and encapsulated by the resin.
Claims16
An automotive impact beam comprising:
- (a) an elongated body having glass fibers encapsulated by a resin to form a laminate;
- and
- (b) elongated ductile reinforcing means retained by the laminate in a region of the body which incurs predominantly tension loads during impact.
An automotive bumper assembly comprising:
- (a) an impact beam having front wall adjacent a vehicle body, a laterally spaced rear wall, and top and bottom walls formed as a laminate of glass fibers and resin;
- (b) a web of reinforcing ductile strands inserted in at least the rear walls;
- (c) energy absorber means mounted on the impact beam;
- and
- (d) a fascia covering the energy absorber means.
A method of forming an automotive impact beam, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a closable mold having a cavity for an elongated beam including front, rear, top and bottom walls;
- (b) inserting layers of glass fibers in the mold at least along the top and bottom walls;
- (c) inserting ductile reinforcing means in the region of the intersections of the rear wall with the top and bottom walls;
- (d) inserting ductile reinforcing means in the region of the intersections of the front wall with the top and bottom walls;
- (e) closing the mold;
- and
- (f) injecting a resin into the closed mold to encapsulate the glass fibers and web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.