Citation

Hilfrich E, Rottger R, Zornack M, Patberg L. Konstruktion 2006; (6): 6-7.

Affiliation

Division Auto, Vertrieb/Engineering, Fahrzeugtechnik, ThyssenKrupp Steel, Duisburg

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Springer VDI)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

New requirements under the law in the European Union are expected to better protect pedestrians in their collisions with vehicles. The putting into effect of these requirements presents a challenge to the development of the entire forward part of the vehicle. ThyssenKrupp Steel develops concepts that fulfill the regulations for engine hoods. Steel as material of construction has effective energy absorption and an outstanding price/performance ratio. Limits on forces and accelerations must be maintained. A special challenge is the required "head impact test" for the engine hood. The regulations are divided into two phases. Phase 1 relates to vehicles that are new on the market since October 2005. The head impact test is made with a 3.5 kg impactor which with a speed of 35 km/hr impacts the engine hood. From the acceleration and the time of acceleration the head injury criteria (HIC) value is calculated that is a measure for the loading on the head. On 67% of the prescribed surface the HIC may be 1,000 at most, on 33% of the surface at most 2,000. With Phase 2 the regulation starting in 2010 is considerably sharpened. The collision with the engine hood will be 40 km/hr and the HIC limiting value of 1,000 must be maintained on the total defined surface. The discussion covers the engine hood for improved pedestrian protection. Materials of construction used in the engine hood have a large influence on pedestrian protection. Therefore, the Auto division of ThyssenKrupp Steel has constructed an engine hood of modern steel for optimized pedestrian protection. The developments have related to Phases 1 and 2. They include computer aided design (CAD) data and finite element (FE) network. Diagrams.