A bumper arrangement of a passenger car has an upper and a lower load path. A spring element is provided on the transverse support of the lower load path, which, in the event of a collision of a pedestrian with the passenger car, exerts an additional force on the lower leg of the pedestrian, so as to support the movement of the pedestrian in the direction of the front hood of the passenger car.

A bumper arrangement of a passenger car has an upper and a lower load path. A spring element is provided on the transverse support of the lower load path, which, in the event of a collision of a pedestrian with the passenger car, exerts an additional force on the lower leg of the pedestrian, so as to support the movement of the pedestrian in the direction of the front hood of the passenger car.

A configurable bumper for a vehicle may include a center body, one or more telescoping end assemblies adapted to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the center body and perpendicular to the axis of vehicle, and a locking mechanism for each telescoping end assembly. The telescoping end assemblies may be secured in at least two different axial positions on the center body. A method for manufacturing a bumper may include forming bumper components in near-net shape by a profile extrusion process and sizing to length.

A configurable bumper for a vehicle may include a center body, one or more telescoping end assemblies adapted to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the center body and perpendicular to the axis of vehicle, and a locking mechanism for each telescoping end assembly. The telescoping end assemblies may be secured in at least two different axial positions on the center body. A method for manufacturing a bumper may include forming bumper components in near-net shape by a profile extrusion process and sizing to length.

A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle includes a bumper crossmember and a deformation element which is arranged on the bumper crossmember and which has a first element and a second element which are displaceable relative to each other in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, and a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a movable locking element which is pretensionable or is pretensioned with a spring device and which is arranged on the first element or on the second element, and with a depression or step to which the other of the first element and the second element can be latched in a form-fitting manner. In the event of a high displacement speed which is greater than or equal to a predetermined second displacement speed, the locking mechanism prevents displacement of the first element relative to the second element by means of self-locking of the locking element. In the event of an average displacement speed which is lower than the predetermined second displacement speed and greater than a predetermined first displacement speed, the locking mechanism permits displacement of the first element and of the second element relative to each other.

A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle includes a bumper crossmember and a deformation element which is arranged on the bumper crossmember and which has a first element and a second element which are displaceable relative to each other in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, and a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a movable locking element which is pretensionable or is pretensioned with a spring device and which is arranged on the first element or on the second element, and with a depression or step to which the other of the first element and the second element can be latched in a form-fitting manner. In the event of a high displacement speed which is greater than or equal to a predetermined second displacement speed, the locking mechanism prevents displacement of the first element relative to the second element by means of self-locking of the locking element. In the event of an average displacement speed which is lower than the predetermined second displacement speed and greater than a predetermined first displacement speed, the locking mechanism permits displacement of the first element and of the second element relative to each other.

A vehicle includes a body having a first outer periphery in a first plane parallel to a surface on which the vehicle moves in a horizontal direction; a bumper assembly having a second outer periphery in a second plane parallel to the first plane and including portions that extend beyond the first outer periphery; one or more flexible couplings coupling the bumper assembly to the body and allowing for horizontal planar deflection of the bumper assembly relative to the body when the bumper assembly impacts an obstacle; one or more sensors mounted to detect planar deflection of the bumper assembly and being configured to generate signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount; and a drive system configured to propel the vehicle and, in response to the signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount, cause the vehicle to stop moving.

A vehicle includes a body having a first outer periphery in a first plane parallel to a surface on which the vehicle moves in a horizontal direction; a bumper assembly having a second outer periphery in a second plane parallel to the first plane and including portions that extend beyond the first outer periphery; one or more flexible couplings coupling the bumper assembly to the body and allowing for horizontal planar deflection of the bumper assembly relative to the body when the bumper assembly impacts an obstacle; one or more sensors mounted to detect planar deflection of the bumper assembly and being configured to generate signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount; and a drive system configured to propel the vehicle and, in response to the signals indicating the bumper assembly has deflected at least a threshold amount, cause the vehicle to stop moving.

A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a bumper. The vehicle frame includes a frame-rail end. The frame-rail end has a vehicle-forward end and a bore at the vehicle-forward end. The vehicle includes a resettable energy absorber supporting the bumper at the vehicle-forward end of the frame-rail end. The resettable energy absorber is moveable with the bumper relative to the frame-rail end between an extended position and a compressed position. The resettable energy absorber extends into the bore of the frame-rail end from the extended position to the compressed position.

A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a bumper. The vehicle frame includes a frame-rail end. The frame-rail end has a vehicle-forward end and a bore at the vehicle-forward end. The vehicle includes a resettable energy absorber supporting the bumper at the vehicle-forward end of the frame-rail end. The resettable energy absorber is moveable with the bumper relative to the frame-rail end between an extended position and a compressed position. The resettable energy absorber extends into the bore of the frame-rail end from the extended position to the compressed position.