Patent ID: 6890011
Filing Date: 2005-05-10
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An energy-absorbing bumper comprising a structural part which is arranged underneath an outer skin or shell, supports the outer skin in a flexible manner and has a cross section that differs from a cross section of the outer skin or shell, wherein the structural part is composed of foam capable of deformation and energy-absorbing compression or of a material having similar properties and a space-lattice structure that can be crushed in a manner that involves energy absorption, the structural part being arranged between an impact or contact zone of the outer skin or shell and a rear side of the bumper facing away from the impact or contact zone, and having a vertical height in at least one section of the structural part which increases between the impact or contact zone and the rear side of the bumper such that a vertical gap between the structural part and the outer skin or shell over the at least one section decreases between the impact or contact zone and the rear side of the bumper, and the structural part further being arranged with a vertical center of a portion adjacent to the impact or contact zone of the bumper being vertically higher than a vertical center of a portion adjacent to the rear side of the bumper such that an upward impact to the bumper is met with less resistance than a downward impact to the bumper.