OPTIMIZED VEHICLE HOOD FOR IMPACT PROTECTION

Systems and methods are presented herein for providing a reinforcement structure to reduce a Head Impact Criteria value associated with an object impacting a hood assembly that comprises the reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure is arranged between an outer hood structure and an inner hood structure. The reinforcements structure comprises a main reinforcement and a reinforcement extension configured to extend laterally away from the main reinforcement. The reinforcement extension comprises a rib structure configured to accommodate an upper profile of a rigid front fascia feature and a rear flange configured to extend rearward over the rigid front fascia feature. The reinforcement extension is structured to be stiff enough to deform in a manner that reduces the amount of time an impacting structure reaches a peak acceleration value while also reducing the achievable peak acceleration value.