Bumper system with pedestrian-friendly lower apron

摘要

An apron for a vehicle front end comprises a unitary plastic component having a front structure and a rear structure joined by an offset portion. The front and rear structures extend at rearward downward angles and in generally parallel directions, and the offset portion extends at a rearward upward angle. The apron has a relatively constant vertical dimension, such that the angled structures define a wave-shaped envelope. Preferably, a horizontal plane extending from the tip of the front structure stays within the wave-shaped envelope, so that impact forces stay within the boundary in a manner providing improved impact strength and greater energy absorption during an impact. At the same time, the front structure provides a homogeneous structure that distributes local impact stresses uniformly and more widely into the rear structure, thus providing a more uniform impact resistance less sensitive to impact location.

主权项

1. An apron for a vehicle front end under a primary bumper beam, comprising:
a unitary molded component having a front structure and a rear structure joined by an offset portion, the front and rear structures extending at rearward downward angles, and the offset portion extending at a rearward upward angle.