Vehicle Hood Lock Reinforcement for Pedestrian Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front hood structures face challenges in securing sufficient drag to absorb impact loads from upper legform impactors before contact with the striker bracket occurs, which can lead to increased head injury criteria (HIC) values and potential pedestrian injuries.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle front hood structure incorporates a hood lock reinforcement with an upper surface part, legs, and a beam that is strategically positioned between the hood outer and inner panels, covering the striker bracket and extending across it to absorb impact loads through deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the striker bracket is made with high rigidity to ensure proper locking function, then the locking reliability is improved, but the HIC value increases during head impact tests
Solution Approach 1:
The front hood structure is divided into multiple components: hood outer panel, hood inner panel, striker bracket, and hood lock reinforcement. The reinforcement is specifically positioned between the outer and inner panels to address impact issues without affecting the striker bracket's locking function. This segmentation allows different parts to have optimized properties for their specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood lock reinforcement acts as an intermediary element between the hood outer panel and hood inner panel. It is disposed in the gap between these panels and faces the striker bracket from above, absorbing impact energy before it reaches the rigid striker bracket, thus reducing the HIC value while maintaining locking reliability.
2Reliability
If the striker bracket is positioned to engage with the hood lock mechanism for secure closing, then the hood closing reliability is improved, but the impact load absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hood lock reinforcement is pre-positioned in the gap between the hood outer panel and hood inner panel before any impact occurs. This preliminary placement ensures that when an impact occurs, the reinforcement is already in position to absorb the energy, protecting the striker bracket and maintaining the hood's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood lock reinforcement serves as a cushioning element that is already in place before impact. It absorbs the initial impact energy from head or upper legform impactors, preventing this energy from being transmitted directly to the rigid striker bracket and hood lock mechanism, thus reducing HIC values while maintaining closing reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the gap between hood inner panel and hood outer panel is maintained for structural flexibility, then the deformation capability is improved, but the frame rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hood lock reinforcement is strategically positioned only in the gap between the hood outer panel and hood inner panel, specifically where impact forces are most likely to occur. This localized reinforcement provides additional rigidity and impact absorption capability exactly where needed, while maintaining the overall flexibility and deformation capability of the hood structure in other areas.
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
This configuration enhances the frame rigidity of the front hood, allowing for effective absorption of impact loads from upper legform impactors, thereby reducing the HIC value and ensuring safer pedestrian collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The hood lock reinforcement includes an upper surface part, a leg, a beam. The upper surface part covers an entire upper surface of the striker bracket and is joined to the hood outer panel. The leg is provided at a front part of the upper surface part and is joined to the hood inner panel. The beam extends from a front end to a rear end of the upper surface part, is provided on a portion facing the striker and is continuous with the leg.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front hood structure includes: a hood outer panel; a hood inner panel joined to an inner surface of the hood outer panel such that a gap is formed between the hood inner panel and the inner surface; a striker bracket that is provided on the hood inner panel and to which a striker is fixed; and a hood lock reinforcement that is disposed in the gap, faces the striker bracket from above, and is joined to the inner surface. The hood lock reinforcement includes: an upper surface part that covers an entire upper surface of the striker bracket and is joined to the hood outer panel; a leg that is provided at the upper surface part and is joined to the hood inner panel; and a beam that extends along the upper surface part, is provided on a portion facing the striker and is continuous with the leg.