Hood / Fender Assembly / Injection-molded Parts Design
Plastic hood and plastic fender design for an EV model
We were responsible for the structural design and development of plastic hood and plastic fender for an EV model. Under dual goals of lightweighting and pedestrian protection, through material-system selection (e.g., long-glass-fiber reinforced PP/LFT) and rib topology optimization, the project achieved weight reduction of outer panels and improved pedestrian-protection performance.
--- Project Highlights ---
1. Lightweight outer panels: Adopting long-glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) to replace traditional metal hood and fender achieved significant weight reduction and improved range.
2. Pedestrian-protection optimization: The plastic hood, through crush structure and energy-absorption design, reduced head-injury criterion (HIC) to pedestrians, meeting the latest regulations.
3. Stiffness & NVH balance: Addressing the stiffness weakness of plastic panels, rib topology and local thickening balanced bending stiffness with road-noise transmission.
4. Process & painting adaptation: Coordinating with material and painting suppliers, we resolved coating adhesion and weathering issues of thermoplastic outer panels, safeguarding appearance quality and service life.
--- Project Highlights ---
1. Lightweight outer panels: Adopting long-glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) to replace traditional metal hood and fender achieved significant weight reduction and improved range.
2. Pedestrian-protection optimization: The plastic hood, through crush structure and energy-absorption design, reduced head-injury criterion (HIC) to pedestrians, meeting the latest regulations.
3. Stiffness & NVH balance: Addressing the stiffness weakness of plastic panels, rib topology and local thickening balanced bending stiffness with road-noise transmission.
4. Process & painting adaptation: Coordinating with material and painting suppliers, we resolved coating adhesion and weathering issues of thermoplastic outer panels, safeguarding appearance quality and service life.