U.S. patent application number 13/967617 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-19 for energy absorbing apparatus for a bumper rail.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Rahul Arora, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Saied Nusier.
Application Number | 20150048636 13/967617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51787896 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150048636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barbat; Saeed David ; et
al. |
February 19, 2015 |
ENERGY ABSORBING APPARATUS FOR A BUMPER RAIL
Abstract
A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end
structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a
bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending
member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central
body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear
edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally
extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between
the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib
extends laterally outwardly from the central body.
Inventors: |
Barbat; Saeed David; (Novi,
MI) ; Baccouche; Mohamed Ridha; (Ann Arbor, MI)
; Arora; Rahul; (Royal Oak, MI) ; Nusier;
Saied; (Canton, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
51787896 |
Appl. No.: |
13/967617 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
293/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 19/36 20130101;
B60R 2019/186 20130101; B60R 19/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
293/133 |
International
Class: |
B60R 19/34 20060101
B60R019/34 |
Claims
1. An energy absorbing apparatus for a vehicle having a bumper beam
comprising: a central body that is planar in shape and attachable
to the bumper beam with a leading edge of the central body
contacting the bumper beam and a trailing edge of the central body
spaced from the bumper beam; a first wall extending from a first
edge of the central body to a longitudinally extending structural
member backing the bumper beam; a second wall extending from a
second edge of the central body to the longitudinally extending
structural member backing the bumper beam; and a rib extending from
the central body away from the structural member.
2. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rib is
widest adjacent the leading edge and is narrowest at the trailing
edge.
3. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall
and second wall are narrowest adjacent the leading edge and are
widest at the trailing edge.
4. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
longitudinally extending structural member is a crush can disposed
rearward of the bumper beam and forward of a frame rail of the
vehicle.
5. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rib is a
roll bonded double thickness of metal that is attached to the
central body.
6. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rib has a
trapezoidal shape and the first wall and second wall are
triangular.
7. The energy absorbing apparatus of claim 1 wherein a force from a
collision of the vehicle with an object disposed outboard of the
energy absorbing apparatus is transferred from the bumper beam to
the rib, then to the central body, then to the first wall and the
second wall, and then to the longitudinally extending member.
8. A collision energy absorbing assembly for a land vehicle
comprising: a bumper beam disposed at a front end of the vehicle;
at least one crush can disposed rearward of the bumper beam; a
frame assembly of the vehicle disposed rearward of the crush can;
and an impact absorbing attachment attached to the bumper beam and
contacting a lateral side of one of the crush cans, wherein the
impact absorbing apparatus includes a central body that is planar
in shape and attachable to the bumper beam with a leading edge of
the central body contacting the bumper beam and a trailing edge of
the central body spaced from the bumper beam, a first edge and a
second edge of the central body extend between the leading edge and
the trailing edge, a first wall and a second wall extend from the
first edge and the second edge to the crush can, and a rib extends
from the central body away from the crush can.
9. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 further
comprising a bracket disposed between the frame assembly and the
crush can, and wherein the trailing edge of the central body is
spaced from the bracket.
10. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein the
collision absorbing attachment is welded to the bumper beam and
contacts the crush can adjacent the bumper beam but is not
otherwise attached to the one crush can.
11. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein the
rib is widest adjacent the leading edge and is narrowest at the
trailing edge.
12. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein the
first wall and second wall are narrowest adjacent the leading edge
and are widest at the trailing edge.
13. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein the
rib is a roll bonded double thickness of metal that is attached to
the central body.
14. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein the
rib has a trapezoidal shape and the first wall and second wall are
triangular.
15. The collision energy absorbing assembly of claim 8 wherein a
force from a collision of the vehicle with an object disposed
outboard of the energy absorbing apparatus is transferred from the
bumper beam to the rib, then to the central body, then to the first
wall and the second wall, and then to the crush can.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to an energy absorbing apparatus for
a vehicle that is involved in a small offset rigid barrier frontal
collision.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Land vehicles are tested for crashworthiness by a variety of
tests including frontal impacts, side impacts, rear impacts,
roll-over and other tests. Frontal impact tests were previously
developed that specified that a vehicle impacts a barrier between
the frame rails that extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle.
In this type of test, the frame rails provide the primary support
for the vehicle body and reduce any potential for intrusions into
the passenger compartment. The extent of any intrusions into the
passenger compartment are measured at the brake pedal, foot rest,
left toe pan, center toe pan, right toe pan, left instrument panel,
right instrument panel, and door.
[0003] A new test is proposed for simulating small offset frontal
collisions against a rigid barrier. In the proposed test, the
vehicle impacts a rigid barrier having a six inch pole-like radius
on one corner with a 25% overlap at 40 MPH. The impact is outboard
of the frame rails so that the frame rails do not provide as much
resistance to intrusion into the passenger compartment as in the
case of impacts between the frame rails.
[0004] The weight of land vehicles is being substantially reduced
to improve fuel efficiency. Vehicles are currently being designed
to reduce the weight of the vehicle with a parallel objective of
not compromising performance or crashworthiness. It is difficult to
meet the proposed test requirements for the small offset rigid
barrier crash test while reducing vehicle weight and reducing
manufacturing costs.
[0005] The above problems and other problems are addressed by this
disclosure as will be summarized below.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an energy
absorbing apparatus comprising an attachment to an energy absorbing
assembly is disclosed for a vehicle having a bumper rail. The
apparatus includes a central body that is planar in shape and is
attached to the bumper rail with a leading edge of the central body
contacting the bumper rail and a trailing edge of the central body
being spaced from the bumper rail. A first wall extends from a
first edge of the central body to a longitudinally extending
structural member backing the bumper rail. A second wall extends
from a second edge of the central body to the longitudinally
extending structural member backing the bumper rail. A rib extends
from the central body away from the structural member.
[0007] According to other aspects of this disclosure relating to
the apparatus, the rib may be widest adjacent the leading edge and
is narrowest at the trailing edge. The first and second walls may
be narrowest adjacent the leading edge and are widest at the
trailing edge. The longitudinally extending structural member may
be a crush can disposed rearward of the bumper rail and forward of
a frame rail of the vehicle. The rib may be a roll bonded double
thickness of a sheet of metal that is welded or otherwise attached
to extend from the central body. The rib may have a trapezoidal
shape. The first wall and second wall may be triangular. A force
from a collision of the vehicle with an object disposed outboard of
the longitudinally extending structural member is applied to the
rib, then to the central body, then to the first leg and the second
leg, and then to the longitudinally extending structural
member.
[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a collision
absorbing assembly is disclosed for a land vehicle. The land
vehicle comprises a bumper beam disposed at the front end of the
vehicle, one or more crush cans are disposed rearward of the bumper
beam, and a frame assembly of the vehicle disposed rearward of the
crush cans. An impact absorbing attachment is attached to the
bumper beam and contacts a lateral side of one of the crush cans.
The impact absorbing apparatus includes a central body that is
planar in shape and attached to the bumper beam with a leading edge
of the central body contacting the bumper beam and a trailing edge
of the central body being spaced from the bumper beam. A first wall
and a second wall extend from a first and a second edge of the
central body, respectively, and to one of the crush cans. A rib is
attached to the central body to extend from the central body away
from the one crush can.
[0009] According to other aspects of this disclosure relating to
the collision absorbing assembly, a bracket may be disposed between
the frame assembly and the crush cans and the trailing edge of the
central body is spaced from the bracket. The collision absorbing
attachment may be welded to the bumper beam and may contact the
front end of the crush can adjacent the bumper beam, but is not
otherwise attached to the crush can.
[0010] The above aspects and other aspects of this disclosure will
be described in greater detail below with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle front
end showing an example of a collision energy absorption
apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the vehicle
front end and collision energy absorption apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side/rear perspective view of the collision
energy absorption apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the vehicle front end
and collision energy absorption apparatus illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the collision energy
absorption apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 attached to a crush
can.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
collision energy absorption apparatus attached to a crush can.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A detailed description of the illustrated embodiments of the
present invention is provided below. The disclosed embodiments are
examples of the invention that may be embodied in various and
alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some
features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. The specific structural and functional
details disclosed in this application are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art how to practice the invention.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an energy absorbing apparatus 10
is disposed in the front end 12 of a vehicle 14 that is partially
depicted. A bumper beam 16 is provided at the front end 12 of the
vehicle 14. A crush can 18 is assembled between the bumper beam 16
and a bracket 20. The bracket 20 is interposed between the crush
can 18 and a frame rail 24. The energy absorbing apparatus 10 is
welded to the bumper beam 16 and is spaced from the bracket 20. The
crush can 18 is designed to absorb energy in the event of a front
end collision. The energy absorbing apparatus 10 provides
additional protection against collision with the bumper beam 16
outboard of the frame rail 24.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the structure of one embodiment of the
energy absorbing apparatus 10 is described. The energy absorbing
apparatus 10 includes a central body 28 that may be manufactured as
a regular stamped part or may be formed by pressure roll bonding
aluminum. The pressure bonded aluminum allows two thin aluminum
sheets to be bonded together to add stiffness and achieve weight
savings. The roll bonded, double thickness of aluminum sheet
includes a plurality of circular indentations 30 that provide
higher section stiffness and a higher buckling load. The higher
buckling load allows the energy absorption apparatus 10 to
withstand higher stresses and transfer higher crash loads to the
main crush can 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) prior to buckling. Each
aluminum sheet may be about 1 mm thick and is mated by the
indentations 30 to a mirror image sheet in the roll bonding
process.
[0020] The central body 28 has a leading edge 32 that is welded to
the bumper 16 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The leading edge 32 of the
energy absorbing apparatus 10 is also located adjacent to the crush
can 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). A trailing edge 34 of the energy
absorbing apparatus 10 is spaced from the bumper beam 16 and also
spaced from the crush can 18. An upper edge 36, or first edge, of
the central body 28 extends from the leading edge 32 to the
trailing edge 34. A lower edge 38, or second edge, of the central
body 28 also extends from the leading edge 32 to the trailing edge
34. A first wall 40, or upper wall, and a second wall 42, or lower
wall, extend from the upper edge 36 and lower edge 38 of the
central body 28, respectively, to the crush can 18.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a lateral rib 44 that is wider
at its front edge 46 adjacent to the bumper beam than at the rear
edge 48 that is adjacent the trailing edge 34 of the central body
28. The lateral rib 44 may be made with a pressure roll bond
process in which two aluminum sheets are bonded together to provide
greater stiffness and buckling resistance while being lighter in
weight than a single thicker sheet of aluminum. The rib
alternatively may be made in a conventional stamping operation. The
lateral rib 44 may be welded or otherwise attached to the central
portion 28. The lateral rib 44 alternatively may be formed as a
flange of the central portion 28.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a crush can 18 is illustrated
that is a generally octagonal shaped member that extends
longitudinally rearward of the bumper beam 16 (shown in FIGS. 1 and
2). The energy absorbing apparatus 10 is shown to be retained in a
spaced relationship relative to the crush can 18 by the first wall
40 and second wall 42. The lateral rib 44 extends in the outboard
direction and away from the crush can 18.
[0023] In the event of a collision with an object outboard of the
frame rail 24 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), the bumper beam 16 is
initially contacted and driven into the front edge 46 of the rib
44. The rib transfers a portion of the energy from the impact to
the central portion 28 and is driven toward the side of the crush
can 18. The first wall 40 and second wall 42 spread apart as the
central portion 28 is driven toward the crush can 18. The central
portion 28 is driven into engagement with the crush can 18 and
applies a lateral load to the crush can 18 driving the crush can 18
inboard and absorbing a portion of the collision energy. The walls
40, 42 are spread apart as the central portion 28 is flattened
against the crush can 18. The crush can 18 is connected to the
bracket 20. The bracket 20 is connected to the frame rail 24 so
that energy initially exerted outboard of the frame rail 24 is
redirected by the energy absorbing apparatus 10, to the crush can
18, the bracket 20, and frame rail 24.
[0024] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
disclosed apparatus and method. Rather, the words used in the
specification are words of description rather than limitation, and
it is understood that various changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as claimed. The
features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to
form further embodiments of the disclosed concepts.
* * * * *