Bonnet Deployment Mechanism for Pedestrian Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bonnet deployment systems do not effectively mitigate injuries to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, by not adequately increasing the distance between the bonnet and hard engine parts during collisions, particularly when the front end of the bonnet is involved.
Innovation Solution
A bonnet deployment arrangement that includes a pivot arm connected to a locking unit, allowing the front end portion of the bonnet to be displaced upwards and rearwards from a normal to a deployed state, which can be triggered by a release unit, such as a pyrotechnical device, to increase the distance between the bonnet and engine parts, thereby reducing collision impact severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the bonnet is made from thin metal sheet to reduce weight, then the weight of the bonnet is reduced, but the bonnet tends to bend and deform on hard engine parts during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet is pre-positioned in a deployed state before collision occurs, creating safe distance in advance. The deployment mechanism activates prior to impact, raising the bonnet to a position where it cannot contact hard engine parts, thus preventing deformation before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the bonnet from a horizontal plane to a vertical dimension by raising it upward. The bonnet deployment arrangement lifts the bonnet vertically away from the engine compartment, changing the spatial relationship from co-planar to vertically separated, eliminating the deformation risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bonnet is raised to increase distance from engine parts, then the safety is improved, but the access to engine compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet deployment arrangement is dynamic, allowing the bonnet to be raised to a deployed position for safety during collisions, yet still capable of being opened for engine access when needed. The system transitions between states (closed, deployed, open) based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonnet system is segmented into functional zones: the front portion can be deployed upward for safety while the rear portion remains accessible for engine maintenance. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of safety and accessibility requirements.
3Reliability
If a locking unit is added to control bonnet deployment, then the controlled deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the bonnet's position and collision forces. The system self-regulates deployment without requiring complex external control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit acts as an intermediary element between the bonnet and the deployment mechanism. This simple mediating component controls the deployment action without requiring complex electronic or mechanical control systems, achieving reliable controlled deployment with minimal added complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively raises the front end of the bonnet to increase the distance between the bonnet and engine parts, reducing the severity of injuries to vulnerable road users and allowing partial access to the engine compartment without fully opening the bonnet.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot arm is rotatably connected to the first portion at a first axis and rotatably connected to the second portion at a second axis. The first portion is movable in relation to the second portion by means of the pivot arm rotating at the first axis and at the second axis in the unlocked state of the locking unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bonnet deployment arrangement (11, 11', 11 ") adapted to be located at an end portion (17) of a bonnet (5) of a vehicle (3). The bonnet deployment arrangement is transferable from a normal state to a deployed state and comprises a first portion (19, 19', 19") adapted to be attached, directly or indirectly, to the bonnet, a second portion (21, 21', 21 "), comprising one of a striker (15) or a latch for retaining the bonnet in a closed position, a pivot arm (23, 23', 23"), and a locking unit (25, 25', 25") having a locked state and an unlocked state. The pivot arm is rotatably connected to the first portion at a first axis (A1, A1") and rotatably connected to the second portion at a second axis (A2, A2"). The first portion is locked relative to the second portion in the locked state of the locking unit. The first portion is movable in relation to the second portion by means of the pivot arm rotating at the first axis and at the second axis in the unlocked state of the locking unit, the bonnet deployment arrangement thereby being transferable from the normal state to the deployed state. The invention also relates to a bonnet arrangement for a vehicle and to a method of transferring a bonnet deployment arrangement from the normal state to the deployed state.