Vehicle bumper with built-in air bag or buffer

摘要

The bumper has an air bag or buffer built into it. Before an accident, the air bag or buffer is extended explosively in order to increase the crumple zone. The device may be operated asymmetrically for greater effectiveness in the vent of impact at an angle. Suitable sensors are fitted to control the operation of this safety mechanism. For two vehicles hitting each other frontally, both equipped with the device, the crumple zone is designed to keep the impact force more or less constant for 50 msec. Since the impact force is constant, so is the retardation, thereby considerably reducing the effect of the impact on the vehicles. The crumple zone of each vehicle is extended by about a third of a metre.