Trelleborg reduces pedestrian injury
02 September 2010
Trelleborg Automotive has pioneered a new collapsible pedestrian bump stop solution, which is set to reduce pedestrian injury, and help save lives.
The innovative bump stop, which is fitted beneath the bonnet (hood), comes into effect when a pedestrian comes into contact with the front of the car. The bump stop prevents the pedestrian from coming into direct contact with the engine block and significantly reduces the likelihood of sustaining serious injury. This unique solution has been specifically designed to reduce the risk of severe head injury.
Engineered by the industry-leading team at Trelleborg Automotive, the bump stop has been cleverly designed to enable easy integration within the opening/ closing mechanism of any car bonnet.
Incorporating an adjustable Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber bumper, the new bonnet bump stop features a collapsible metal component fixed to a plastic support. Upon impact, the metal structure flattens instantly, which ensures that a far greater level of pedestrian deployed energy is absorbed and the likelihood of sustaining serious injury is considerably reduced. The collapsed metal part is subsequently replaced to enable the bump stop to function in the event of a future collision.
Eric Martinuzzi, Product Development Manager, at Trelleborg Automotive commented: “Manufacturers are constantly striving to improve their NCAP ratings and the pedestrian bump stop is a solution which can realistically help to achieve this by genuinely helping to reduce pedestrian injury.
“Our latest bump stop harnesses over 30 years’ experience at the forefront of complete car bumper systems. We are pleased to introduce a solution with an advanced design that will undoubtedly reduce the number of serious injuries sustained by pedestrians; perhaps most significant is the potential to reduce the likelihood of a serious head injury.”
The pedestrian bump stop is the latest bumper solution from the company, which boasts expertise in delivering robust, high performance bumper solutions for all car opening panels which, in addition to the bonnet, include the roof, boot and passenger doors.
The entire range, including the new pedestrian bump stop, is available in a number of materials, including plastic, rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), depending on specific requirements for compression, durability, temperature and age-resistance. The various specifications ensure reliable performance of the bump stop in a range of applications and environments. In addition, as well as being watertight, the entire bump stop range enables easy integration of electrical sensors, while also providing active damping.