Safety engine cover for road vehicle deforms if vehicle hits pedestrian, with given clearance between top of engine and underside of engine cover and engine may be driven downward on flexible mounting

摘要

There may be padding between the top of the engine (1) and the underside of the engine cover (2). Normally, there is a given small distance (A) between the top of the engine and the engine cover. The engine is mounted on a bearing arrangement (5) on a beam (4) attached to the vehicle bodywork. An actuator (6) is connected to the bearing arrangement to force the top (5a) and bottom (5b) members apart to lower the engine by a given amount (V). This gives a new increased clearance (A') between the top of the engine and the engine cover.