Offset Deforming Fender Bracket for Pedestrian Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fender attachment systems for vehicles do not effectively manage impact forces during pedestrian collisions, leading to high headform deceleration and potential interference between the hood and fender structures, which can increase injury risks and subjective stiffness issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of offset deforming fender attachment brackets, which connect the front fender structure to a side structural member via a support leg that extends outwardly from the fender attachment portion, allowing the fender to move outwardly and reduce headform deceleration by offsetting impact forces, thereby minimizing contact with the hood and providing lateral stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fender attachment systems are used, then the fender structure is securely mounted to the vehicle, but headform deceleration increases and pedestrian injury risk increases during impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment bracket is designed with dynamic deformation characteristics that allow it to change stiffness during impact. The bracket transitions from a rigid mounted state to a controlled deformation state during pedestrian impact, absorbing energy and reducing headform deceleration while maintaining secure mounting during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket geometry is specifically designed with offset dimensions (e.g., apex portion positioned laterally offset from the connecting location) that change the mechanical response parameters during impact. This offset configuration creates a lever arm effect that reduces the transmission of impact forces to the pedestrian while maintaining attachment security
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fender structure is rigidly attached to prevent movement, then lateral stiffness is maintained, but hood-fender interference occurs during impacts increasing injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment bracket provides conditional stability - rigid during normal operation to maintain lateral stiffness and prevent hood-fender interference, but allows controlled deformation during impact to reduce injury risk. The dynamic response changes based on the magnitude and direction of applied forces
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bracket have different structural properties optimized for specific functions. The connecting wall portion provides rigid attachment to the fender, the support leg provides structured deformation, and the apex portion provides lateral positioning - each with locally optimized geometry to achieve overall system performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the support leg is positioned directly below the connecting location, then structural simplicity is achieved, but impact force offset capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs asymmetric geometry with the apex portion of the support leg positioned laterally offset from the connecting location. This asymmetric configuration creates a mechanical advantage by positioning the support leg to laterally offset impact forces, reducing the transmission of harmful forces during pedestrian collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The offset positioning of the support leg apex portion introduces a lateral dimension to the force distribution that would not exist with direct vertical alignment. This dimensional offset creates a moment arm that actively works to reduce impact force transmission to the pedestrian
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 offset deforming fender attachment brackets reduce head injury criteria (HIC) values by allowing greater vertical displacement and lower head acceleration, while also preventing unintended hood-fender interference and enhancing lateral rigidity during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The support leg includes an apex portion connected to the lateral edge of the fender attachment portion that is spaced outboard from the connecting location
Implementation Method 2
function to absorb impact energy
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a fender panel support assembly includes a hood that at least partially covers an engine compartment. A front fender structure includes a connecting wall portion located at least partially below the hood in a vehicle vertical direction. A side structural member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. An offset deforming fender attachment bracket mounts the front fender structure to the side structural member. The offset deforming fender attachment bracket includes a fender attachment portion connected to the connecting wall portion of the front fender structure at a connecting location. A support leg is connected to the side structural member. The support leg extends toward the side structural member from a lateral edge of the fender attachment portion. The support leg includes an apex portion connected to the lateral edge of the fender attachment portion that is spaced outboard from the connecting location in a vehicle lateral direction.