Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Marco Nickel

Theobald Hock

Martin Likar

Matthias Erzgraeber

Eduard Goebel

A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.

Method for manufacturing a bumper structure

A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.

Front section for a motor vehicle

A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end. The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may be arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.

Support structure for supporting external panel components of a vehicle

A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.

A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.

Front part of a motor vehicle and stiffening thereto

A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.

Bumper structure for a motor vehicle

A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.

Molding for a motor vehicle for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor

A bumper support for a motor vehicle with a stiffening structure and at least two connections for connecting the bumper support on the one hand to a bumper and on the other hand to a vehicle body is provided. The bumper support comprises at least one extension structure arranged in the region of at least one of the connections and serving as energy absorber, which is connected to the stiffening structure in a materially joined manner.

Bumper support for a vehicle

A front end for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a bumper covering and a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the bumper covering and a supporting body component. The support has a buckling load which is less than the loading capacity of a connection of the support with the supporting body component and is able to elastically buckle in a collision.

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Riedstadt, Germany

Marco Nickel