Large vehicle hood or trunk lid bodyshell element

Abstract

In order to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle, a bodyshell element forming a hood or trunk lid has at least one edge area with an outer part isolated from a support structure, in such a way that the outer part creates an energy-absorbing zone in front of the support structure part as a means of protection in a collision.

1 . An engine hood or front-opening trunk lid of a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a thin-walled and non-rigid outer part,    a support structure part interconnected with the thin-walled and non-rigid outer part, and    a part which is essentially S-shaped in cross-section joining the outer part to the support structure part,    wherein the thin-walled and non-rigid outer part defines a portion of a flange projecting beyond a front edge of the support structure part so that the support structure part is offset inwards and separated by a distance from the flange and the outer part.    
   
   
       2 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the part which is essentially S-shaped in cross-section is a sheet metal part.  
   
   
       3 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the outer part and the sheet metal part defines a welt.  
   
   
       4 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer part defines the welt.  
   
   
       5 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 2 , wherein the outer part and the sheet metal part together form the portion of the flange projecting beyond the front edge of the support structure part.  
   
   
       6 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer part and the sheet metal part together form the portion of the flange projecting beyond the front edge of the support structure part.  
   
   
       7 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 4 , wherein the outer part and the sheet metal part together form the portion of the flange projecting beyond the front edge of the support structure part.  
   
   
       8 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 3 , wherein the welt lies in a plane which runs approximately transversely to a direction of impact anticipated during a vehicle collision with a pedestrian.  
   
   
       9 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 6 , wherein the welt lies in a plane which runs approximately transversely to a direction of impact anticipated during a vehicle collision with a pedestrian.  
   
   
       10 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer part and the part which is essentially S-shaped in cross-section defines a welt.  
   
   
       11 . The engine hood or front opening trunk lid according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer part defines the welt.