Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Peter Blum

Anders Fredriksson

Peter Lindmark

Mattias Wallman

Mats Erlingfors

Gunnar Hallneus

Mattias Wallmann

The present invention relates to a pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel and a bonnet providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member. The grille opening reinforcing front cross member carries a plurality of brackets. The brackets are designed to support loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure, vertical (Z) loads in the range of 1.0-1.5 kN and longitudinal (X) loads in the range of 0.4-0.6 kN. The brackets are further designed for energy absorbing deformation when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure above 0.6 kN, such that the plurality of brackets provide an energy absorbing upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.

Pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body

A hood latch structure () for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel () and a hood () providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member (). The grille opening reinforcing front cross member () supports at least one hood latch () carried by a mounting member () protruding towards the front of the vehicle. Mounting member () is designed to collapse downwards (Z) causing the hood latch () to move downwards (Z) when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads above a predetermined threshold load distributed thereupon by the overlying structure such that the hood latch () moves away to provide a forgiving upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.

Engine compartment hood latch structure for a motor vehicle

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Partille, Sweden

Peter Blum