Performance Analysis of an Active System for Pedestrian Protection Using Impact Analysis

Abstract

: Although automotive safety technologies have been developed steadily, the efforts for pedestrian protection still seems to be insufficient. In a car-pedestrian accident, the structures such as the engine under a hood, the lower part of a windshield and the A-pillar are the major causes of fatal pedestrian injuries. Recently, there have been several studies on the active safety system to reduce the pedestrian injuries. The safety system consists of an active hood lift system and a pedestrian airbag. In this research, the safety performance of the active hood lift system and the pedestrian airbag is investigated by using the finite element method. The finite element model of the system is set up based on the head impact test, and the impact analyses are performed. The necessity and the usefulness of the safety system are verified.