An Approach To Front-End System Design for Pedestrian Safety 2001-01-0353

An approach to a solution to conflicts of interest posed by new pedestrian safety requirements is presented here. The effects of various design parameters on pedestrian safety, and the resulting influence on other requirements are examined. Limitations and possible solution envelopes are determined with regard to styling, packaging and functionality. Material choice and the stiffness of the structure are used as variables to fine-tune the system. The paper explores the effects of using current front-end materials and new material options versus what can be achieved by modifying or developing designs and structures to fulfil the set of conflicting requirements. Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) techniques are used extensively for this work, in order to determine the sensitivity of the behaviour of front-end systems to design and material characteristics. Finally an overall approach to solutions is presented, involving a theory of stiffness distribution to meet the pedestrian safety requirements, while continuing to address the current needs.