Pedestrian impact energy management device with seesaw elements

摘要

A pedestrian safety device for mounting to an automotive vehicle has a relatively low-resistance mechanical response when struck by an object having the approximate width of a human leg, and relatively high-resistance response when struck by an object wider than a human leg. The impact energy management device comprises a backplate attachable the vehicle and a plurality of seesaw elements attached to the backplate for pivoting movement relative to the backplate. Each element has a first and a second contact end spaced forwardly from the beam. When a narrow object like a pedestrian's leg strikes the device, only one end of each seesaw element is urged toward the backplate and the element pivots with respect to the backplate to absorb energy and offer a relatively low resistance. When a wider object strikes the device, both contact ends of a seesaw element are engaged so that the element bends toward the backplate. The strain caused by the bending offering a higher resistance to intrusion by the object.