In normal operation, passenger car bumpers are meant to protect the vehicle body from damages during minor collisions. In most cases, when colliding with a pedestrian, the bumper is the first vehicle componento be hit causing injuries to the legs. The induced injury severity depends on the bumper configuration and stiffness. As a result of biomechanical investigations a maximum force level has been recommended which should not be exceeded in order to minimize the injury severity.
This recommendation conflicts with the demands on the bumper as a body part: The bumper system must be able to transmit high forces to meet current regulations, such as Part 581 for example, on the one hand, but on the other it has to be stiff enough to sustain normal operating conditions without failing throughoutt he vehicle's service life.
The present paper examines the possibilities for an integrated bumper system in consideration of biomechanical findings, current regulations, and manufacturers' demands using various series vehicles and test components.