Impact absorbing bumper for small car - uses exhaust system expansion boxes as deformable supports for bumper strips

摘要

The expansion box of the exhaust system is made in an elongated shape and is mounted transversely between the bumper strip and the chassis. The box can be a straight through type or a re-entrant design (3). The bumper strip is a hollow profile, open to the car to enclose the expansion box. On impact the bumper strip presses on the box and deforms it to absorb the impact force. The system is ideal for a small car, with a considerable space saving under the car i.e. no provision has to be made in the floor pan to accommodate the exhaust system.