Bumper cross-section with hinges

A bumper beam for mounting on an automotive chassis comprising:

• a B-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a front face and a pair of vertically spaced cells, each said cell being defined by said front face, an opposing rear wall, an outer wall spanning between said rear wall and said front face, and an inner wall opposite said outer wall, each of said inner walls having a pair of first and second hinges to cause said inner walls to buckle upon impact in a predetermined manner with each of said first hinges buckling inwardly with respect to the corresponding said cell and each of said second hinges buckling outwardly with respect to the corresponding said cell toward the said second hinge of the opposing said cell, each of said second hinges contacting one another upon deep collapse of said cells to provide support for each respective said second hinge and, thereby, enhance energy management of the bumper beam.

In a bumper beam for mounting on an automotive chassis comprising:

• a B-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a front face and a pair of vertically spaced opposing cells, each said cell being defined by said front face, an opposing rear wall, an outer wall spanning between said rear wall and said front face, and an inner wall opposite said outer wall, each of said inner and outer walls having a first hinge and a second hinge to cause said inner and outer walls to buckle upon impact in a predetermined manner with each of said first hinges buckling inwardly with respect to the corresponding said cell and each of said second hinges buckling outwardly with respect to the corresponding said cell, the second hinge of each of said inner walls being directed toward the second hinge on the opposing said inner wall such that said second hinges contact one another upon deep collapse of said cells to provide support for each respective said second hinge and, thereby, enhance energy management of the bumper beam.