Chrysler Corporation

Alan J Osterman

Robert L Stewart

Dennis W Jalbert

John D Nulty

An elongated tubular bumper beam for an automotive vehicle is of box-like cross-section. The bumper beam has upper and lower walls connected by outer and inner walls. A reinforcing web of generally S-shaped configuration interconnects the outer and inner walls. The bumper beam is preferably made of a lightweight material such as aluminum, magnesium or plastic.

Vehicle bumper beam

A rollformed tubular vehicle bumper beam is mounted on a vehicle. The bumper beam is fabricated of ultra-high strength steel and has a plan view sweep value of more than 10. The bumper beam has a cross-sectional configuration comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer wall, and an inner wall. Inner portions of the upper and lower walls are angled, respectively, downwardly and upwardly. This configuration permits fabrication of the bumper beam by rollforming without stretching the outer wall to a point where it would be damaged. The position of the bumper beam on the vehicle is adjustable vertically, transversely, and longitudinally with respect to the vehicle.

Vehicle and bumper beam combination

A rollformed tubular vehicle bumper beam is fabricated of ultra-high strength steel and has a plan view sweep value of more than 10. The bumper beam has a cross-sectional configuration comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer wall, and an inner wall. Inner portions of the upper and lower walls are angled, respectively, downwardly and upwardly. This configuration permits fabrication of the bumper beam by rollforming without stretching the outer wall to a point where it would be damaged.

A bumper structure includes an elongated rollformed tubular vehicle bumper beam. The bumper beam is fabricated of ultra-high strength steel and has a plan view sweep value of more than 10. A relatively thick layer of energy absorbing foam material covered by a facia overlies the bumper beam. The foam material is thickest at the center portion and decreases in thickness towards the longitudinal ends of the bumper beam.

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Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Alan J Osterman