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

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.