Vehicle Bonnet Hinge Arrangement with Passive Energy Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bonnet arrangements for vehicles do not adequately reduce the risk of head injury for vulnerable road users who are thrown onto the bonnet, particularly due to the potential impact with the hinge arrangement, and restrict design configurations.
Innovation Solution
A bonnet arrangement featuring a passive energy absorbing member positioned above the hinge arrangement to absorb impact energy, allowing for pivotal displacement of the bonnet and reducing the likelihood of head injury by creating a gap between the bonnet and the hinge, which is designed to be robust, cost-efficient, and does not require activation or sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge arrangement is located directly below the bonnet to enable easy bonnet opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of head injury to vulnerable road users increases
Solution Approach 1:
A passive energy absorbing member is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the bonnet and the hinge arrangement. This member absorbs impact energy from vulnerable road users' heads during pedestrian accidents, reducing the transmission of harmful forces to the hinge arrangement while allowing the hinge to remain in its optimal position for ease of bonnet opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive energy absorbing member is pre-positioned between the bonnet and hinge arrangement to provide cushioning before impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning mechanism is designed to deform or collapse upon impact, absorbing energy and protecting the hinge arrangement from direct head impacts while not interfering with normal bonnet operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hinge arrangement is located close to the lateral side of the vehicle to reduce head injury risk, then the safety is improved, but the design freedom of the bonnet and surrounding components is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The passive energy absorbing member serves as a mediator that allows the hinge arrangement to be positioned in the optimal location for ease of operation (directly below the bonnet) without compromising safety. This intermediary component enables designers to maintain conventional bonnet and A-pillar configurations while still achieving improved pedestrian safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a passive energy absorbing member is added between the bonnet and hinge arrangement to reduce head injury risk, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive energy absorbing member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that is intended to deform or collapse during impact. This disposable-like approach allows the use of basic materials and simple geometries (such as deformable brackets or foam elements) that effectively absorb energy without requiring complex mechanisms, sensors, or activation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive energy absorbing member operates autonomously without requiring external activation, sensors, or control systems. It automatically absorbs impact energy through its inherent deformable structure, making the system simple and reliable while effectively reducing head injury risk.
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 bonnet arrangement effectively lowers the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) values, providing a safer impact zone above the hinge arrangement and allowing for greater design freedom in the bonnet, A-pillar, and front fender configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a passive energy absorbing member, which is positioned and arranged so as to absorb impact energy from an impact occurring at the bonnet in a region above the hinge arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bonnet arrangement (1, 1') for a vehicle, the bonnet arrangement (1, 1') comprising a bonnet (3), and a hinge arrangement (5, 5'), which is adapted to be attached to the bonnet (3). The hinge arrangement (5, 5') is arranged to permit pivotal displacement of the bonnet (3) relative to the vehicle around a first pivot axis (A1) located in the hinge arrangement (5, 5'). The bonnet arrangement (1, 1') further comprises a passive energy absorbing member (7, 7'), which is positioned and arranged so as to absorb impact energy from an impact occurring at the bonnet (3) in a region above the hinge arrangement (5, 5'). The energy absorbing member (7, 7') may be adapted to be attached to the bonnet (3) and/or to the hinge arrangement (5, 5'). The disclosure further relates to the hinge arrangement (5, 5'), a kit comprising the hinge arrangement (5, 5') and the energy absorbing member (7, 7'), as well as a vehicle comprising the bonnet arrangement (1, 1').