VEHICLE BUMPER SYSTEM WITH ENERGY ABSORBER
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bumper system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a beam configured to couple to the vehicle; and
a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam, the energy absorber comprising;
a frame; and
at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall;
wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, the base thickness being less than the outer thickness; and
the outer wall is curved away from the frame.
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Abstract
A vehicle bumper system includes a beam configured to attach to a vehicle and a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam. The energy absorber comprises a frame and a crush lobe extending from the frame. The crush lobe comprises a lobe wall extending between the frame and an outer wall. The change in lobe wall thickness may be constant. The outer wall is curved away from the frame.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A bumper system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a beam configured to couple to the vehicle; and a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam, the energy absorber comprising; a frame; and at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall; wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, the base thickness being less than the outer thickness; and the outer wall is curved away from the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A thermoformed energy absorber for use in a vehicle, the energy absorber comprising:
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a frame; and at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall; wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, the base thickness being less than the outer thickness; and the outer wall is curved away from the frame. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A bumper assembly, comprising:
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a beam; a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam, the energy absorber comprising; a frame; and at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall; wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, the base thickness being less than the outer thickness; and a fascia positioned and sized to envelop the beam and the energy absorber. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A thermoformed energy absorber for use in a vehicle, the energy absorber comprising:
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a frame; and at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall; wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, wherein the base thickness and the outer thickness are different; and the outer wall is curved away from the frame. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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24. (canceled)
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33. A method of making an energy absorber, comprising:
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heating a plastic sheet to a softening temperature; disposing the plastic sheet between a lobe tool and a pressure box; drawing the plastic sheet against the lobe tool with a vacuum to form an energy absorber comprising a frame; and at least one crush lobe extending from the frame, the crush lobe comprising an outer wall spaced apart from the frame at a lobe depth and a lobe wall extending between the frame and the outer wall; wherein the lobe wall has a base thickness near the frame and an outer thickness near the outer wall, wherein the base thickness and the outer thickness are different; and removing the energy absorber.
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Specification