Title:
BUMPER SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2002/057119
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A bumper system (10) comprising a bumper (14) having a protuberant profile defining a front surface (16) which is intended to make first contact with an obstacle (e.g. car or pedestrian) during a head-on collision. The bumper system (10) also comprises a strengthening assembly (18) for in use reinforcing the front surface (16) of the bumper (14) to increase bumper deformation resistance. The strengthening assembly (18) is controlled by a controller (20) in dependence upon vehicle speed. If vehicle speed is below a threshold level, the controller (20) activates the strengthening assembly (18) so as to increase the stiffness of the front surface (16) of the bumper (14). If vehicle speed is above the threshold speed the controller (20) deactivates the strengthening assembly (18) to decrease bumper deformation resistance, with the strengthening assembly remaining concealed behind the leading surface of the bumper.
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Inventors:
ASHMEAD MICHAEL (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2002/000175
Publication Date:
July 25, 2002
Filing Date:
January 16, 2002
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CELLBOND LTD (GB)
ASHMEAD MICHAEL (GB)
ASHMEAD MICHAEL (GB)
International Classes:
B60R19/18; B60R19/00; B60R21/34; (IPC1-7): B60R19/18; B60R19/34
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2000031434A1 | 2000-06-02 | |||
| WO1998006553A1 | 1998-02-19 |
Foreign References:
| US6089628A | 2000-07-18 | |||
| EP0323038A2 | 1989-07-05 | |||
| US5106137A | 1992-04-21 | |||
| US5794975A | 1998-08-18 | |||
| US3789948A | 1974-02-05 | |||
| US5460421A | 1995-10-24 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Maguire, Boss (5 Crown Street St. Ives Cambridge PE27 5EB, GB)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
| 1. | A bumper system for a vehicle, comprising : a bumper having a leading surface for making first contact with a pedestrianlike obstacle in a headon collision; a strengthening assembly for in use reinforcing the leading surface of the bumper to increase bumper deformation resistance; and a controller for controlling the bumper strengthening assembly in dependence upon vehicle speed; wherein the controller activates the strengthening assembly below a threshold speed to increase bumper deformation resistance and deactivates the strengthening assembly above the threshold speed to decrease bumper deformation resistance, with the strengthening assembly remaining concealed behind the leading surface of the bumper. |
| 2. | A bumper system according to claim 1, in which the leading surface is formed in such a way as to deform sacrificially and absorb impact energy steadily when not reinforced by the strengthening assembly. |
| 3. | A bumper system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the leading surface is part of a structure comprising a honeycomb or pressload core. |
| 4. | A bumper system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the strengthening assembly comprises a member moveable from a first position spaced from the leading surface of the bumper to a second position providing support for the leading surface of the bumper profile when bumper deformation resistance is increased. |
| 5. | A bumper system according to claim 4, in which the member comprises a plurality of projections arranged in a spacedapart array. |
| 6. | A bumper system according to claim 5, in which each limb supports a discrete part of the leading surface of the bumper when the member is in the second position. |
| 7. | A bumper system according to claim 6, in which the discrete parts supported by the plurality of limbs are distributed substantially evenly across the leading surface of the bumper. |
| 8. | A bumper system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the strengthening assembly comprises a chamber, adjacent the leading surface of the bumper, for receiving fluid, the chamber having an outlet and a valve for regulating fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet. |
| 9. | A bumper system according to claim 8, in which the strengthening assembly further comprises a pump for pumping fluid under pressure into the chamber, with the chamber being configured to hold fluid at a pressure above ambient levels when the strengthening assembly is activated. |
| 10. | A bumper system according to claim 8 or 9, in which the chamber comprises a porous energyabsorbing structure, such as a honeycomb or pressload structure. |
| 11. | A bumper system according to claim 8, 9 or 10, in which the controller controls the valve, increasing outlet aperture size in proportion to vehicle speed. |
| 12. | A bumper system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the strengthening assembly comprises an anisotropic material which is stronger in one direction than another, and means for rotating the strengthening assembly to align one direction or the other with the leading surface as required. |
| 13. | A bumper system according to claim 12, in which the anisotropic material is selected from the group consisting of a pressload structure and a honeycomb structure. |
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