Cast bumper assembly and method of manufacturing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10293771-B2
Application number	US-201515319878-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2015
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	May 21, 2019
Grant date	May 21, 2019

Abstract

A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a crash box. At least one of the bumper beam or the crash box is cast from metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, to reduce weight, reduce manufacturing process steps, and improve performance characteristics of the bumper assembly. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween. One of the bumper beam or the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and each include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bumper assembly:
a bumper beam;
at least one crash box interconnected to said bumper beam;
wherein both of said bumper beam and said at least one crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween;
said cast bumper beam and said at least one cast crash box being open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly;
each of said cast bumper beam and said at least one cast crash box including at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith; and
wherein said cast bumper beam is H-shaped along at least as portion of its length to define a horizontal or transverse rib.

2. A bumper assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said horizontal or transverse rib defines a plurality of weight reduction holes.

3. A bumper assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said at least one reinforcing rib integrally cast with said cast bumper beam includes a plurality of V-shaped reinforcing ribs.

4. A bumper assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said at least one reinforcing rib integrally cast with said at least one cast crash box includes an X-shaped reinforcing rib.

5. A bumper assembly comprising:
a bumper beam;
at least one crash box interconnected to said bumper beam;
wherein both of said bumper beam and said at least one crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween;
said cast bumper beam being open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and said at least one cast crash box being closed along the top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly;
said cast bumper beam including at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith; and
wherein said cast bumper beam is H-shaped along at least a portion of its length to define a horizontal or transverse rib.

6. A bumper assembly as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said horizontal or transverse rib defines a plurality of weight reduction holes.

7. A bumper assembly as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said at least one reinforcing rib integrally cast with said cast bumper beam includes a plurality of V-shaped reinforcing ribs.

Assignees

• Steinebach Edward K
• Jones Mark Justin
• Mellis Jeffrey Jay
• Brady Jeremiah John
• Winfree Richard Lee
• Young Warren Edward
• Ashmore Erryn Leigh
• Womack Darren Andrew
• Garimella Venugopal
• Marston Paul James
• Magna Int Inc

Inventors

• Steinebach Edward K
• Jones Mark Justin
• Mellis Jeffrey Jay
• Brady Jeremiah John
• Winfree Richard Lee
• Young Warren Edward
• Ashmore Erryn Leigh
• Womack Darren Andrew
• Garimella Venugopal
• Marston Paul James

Classifications

• B60R2019/1813

  made of metal · CPC title

• B60R19/34 Primary

  destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type · CPC title

• B60R19/03

  characterised by material, e.g. composite (B60R19/18 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R19/18

  {characterised by the cross-section;} Means within the bumper to absorb impact · CPC title

• B60R2019/247

  Fastening of bumpers' side ends · CPC title