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US 6,308,999 B1Granted
Multi-material hybrid bumper
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsSoo A. Tan, Dinesh C. Seksaria
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle bumper system having a metallic elongated reinforcing member extending substantially across the width of the vehicle. The reinforcing member can be made from aluminum or steel and has a generally Σ-shaped cross section which is filled with energy-absorbing foam. The Σ-shaped cross section is preferably formed by extrusion. A preferred composition of the reinforcing member is an aluminum alloy selected from the group of 6XXX and 7XXX alloys.
Claims22
A vehicle bumper assembly comprising:
- a) an elongated reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross section along its length, said generally Σ-shaped cross section comprises a rear wall connected to a substantially parallel top and bottom wall, said generally Σ-shaped cross section having an open face opposite said rear wall which faces bumper assembly fascia;
- and
- b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member along its length;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
1 more element
A vehicle bumper comprising:
- (a) an elongated bumper reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross section, said Σ-shaped comprises a rear wall connected to substantially parallel top and bottom walls, said rear wall having three sections:
- i. two end sections which form approximately 90° angles with said top and bottom walls;
- and
- ii. a convex indentation section centrally located on said rear wall between said two end sections, said convex indentation protruding from said rear wall a distance equal to about 30% to about 95% the length of said top and bottom walls;
- and
- (b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
4 more elements
A vehicle bumper assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongated reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross section along its length, said generally Σ-shaped cross section having an open face which faces bumper assembly fascia, said Σ-shaped cross section comprises a rear wall connected to substantially parallel top and bottom walls, said rear wall having three sections:
- i. two end sections which form approximately 90° angles with said top and bottom walls;
- and
- ii. a convex indentation section centrally located on said rear wall between said two end sections, said convex indentation protruding from said rear wall a distance equal to about 45% to about 80% the length of said top and bottom walls;
- and
- (b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
4 more elements
A vehicle bumper assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongated reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross section, said Σ-shaped cross section comprises a rear wall connected to substantially parallel top and bottom walls, said substantially parallel top and bottom walls having no curvature and converging as they extend away from said rear wall;
- and
- (b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
1 more element
A vehicle bumper assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongated aluminum alloy reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross section along its length with an open face which faces bumper assembly fascia, said Σ-shaped cross section comprises a rear wall connected to substantially parallel top and bottom walls, said rear wall having three sections:
- i. a convex indentation section;
- and
- ii. two end sections which form approximately 90° angles with said top and bottom walls;
- and
- (b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member along its length, said foam is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polypropylene materials, and combination thereof;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
4 more elements
A vehicle bumper assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongated aluminum alloy reinforcing member having a generally Σ-shaped cross, said Σ-shaped cross section comprises a rear wall connected to substantially parallel top and bottom walls, said rear wall having three sections:
- i. a convex indentation section;
- and
- ii. two end sections which form approximately 90° angles with said top and bottom walls;
- and
- (b) foam filling said elongated reinforcing member along its length, said foam is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polypropylene materials, and combinations thereof;
- wherein during an impact, said foam absorbs some impact energy and distributes impact forces to said generally Σ-shaped cross section such that said top and bottom walls rotate in opposite directions inwardly about a center longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.