The bumpers on a car decrease MPG

[Low-Q]

Hi,

I have thought about how the bumpers affects the performance of the available power in a car engine. The bumper applies friction to the suspension so the car doesn't jump off a bumpy road. However, that friction will be a sort of energy loss. The questions is: How much energy loss is it at a given car weight and suspension travel pr. time? By how much will that decrease MPG?

Vidar

 

[CWatters]

Oh you mean the shock absorbers...

http://blogs.discovery.com/files/energy-harvesting-shock-absorber-june-2011.pdf

Energy Harvesting Shock Absorbers

snip

We estimated that for a middle-size vehicle, 100W, 400W, and 1600W of average power is available for harvesting from the regenerative shock absorbers while driving on Class B (good), C (average), and D (poor) highways at 60 mph.

snip

This represents a potential of 1-4% fuel efficiency increase in conventional cars and up to 8% for hybrid vehicle.

 

[mfb]

I think they absorb energy which would be lost anyway - just in other parts of the car. They can even reduce losses, if they keep the whole car from bumping around.
If that energy can be extracted: Even better.

 

[Low-Q]

Oh you mean the shock absorbers...

http://blogs.discovery.com/files/energy-harvesting-shock-absorber-june-2011.pdf

Yes that's correct :-) I used google translate from Norwegian...
Well, thanks for the link :-)

Vidar

 

[PJC01]

Dear Vidar,

Thank you for your question about the impact of bumpers on a car's MPG. I can provide some insights into this topic.

Firstly, it is important to note that bumpers serve an important safety function in cars by absorbing impact and protecting the vehicle's body and passengers. However, as you correctly pointed out, they can also contribute to energy loss and decrease MPG.

The amount of energy loss from bumpers will depend on various factors such as the weight and design of the car, the type of suspension system, and the driving conditions. Generally, the more weight a car has, the more energy it will require to overcome the friction caused by the bumpers. Additionally, a softer suspension system may also result in more energy loss compared to a stiffer system.

In terms of the impact on MPG, it is difficult to provide a specific number without knowing the specific details of the car in question. However, it is safe to say that bumpers do contribute to a decrease in MPG, albeit a small one. This is because the energy loss from bumpers is only a fraction of the total energy used by the car's engine.

In conclusion, while bumpers do contribute to a decrease in MPG, the impact is relatively small and is outweighed by their important safety function. Manufacturers are constantly working to improve the design and materials of bumpers to minimize their impact on fuel efficiency. I hope this helps answer your question.

Best regards,