Title: Effect of hood periphery shape parameters and hood-fender interface characteristics on pedestrian head injury criterion

Authors: Vishal Gupta; King H. Yang

Addresses: Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202-3902, USA ' Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202-3902, USA

Abstract: A number of studies have focused on optimising the hood structure to improve pedestrian safety. Most of these studies are limited to the central region of the hood but the central region of the hood is of lower risk to head injuries if proper packaging methodology for under-hood components is used. But the hood edges supported by other vehicular structures (fender and shotgun) are of higher stiffness and may possess a greater injury risk. This study investigated several shape parameters along hood edges and hood-to-vehicle interface which could help to reduce the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) during impact with hood. The proposed passive structural change for hood edges and hood-to-vehicle interface showed significant improvement in HIC along hood edges. These shape parameters helped in reducing the HIC up to 70% on different impact points on hood and along hood edges and helped in meeting legal requirements for pedestrian safety.

Keywords: pedestrian impacts; HIC; head injury criterion; hood edges; optimisation; hood shape changes; morphing; hood periphery shape; hood-fender interface; bonnet-bumper interface; pedestrian head injuries; vehicle hoods; vehicle bonnets; vehicle safety; bonnet shape; bonnet edges; structural stiffness; injury risk; shape parameters; pedestrian safety; vehicle accidents.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2015.070774

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2015 Vol.8 No.3, pp.233 - 250

Received: 11 Aug 2014
Accepted: 24 Feb 2015
Published online: 24 Jul 2015 *

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