Abstract
In this paper, aspects related to the energy absorption optimization of SafetyPlastic are presented. SafetyPlasticÒ is a patented impact energy absorbing technology currently used in the automotive industry as a countermeasure for occupant protection on head and side impact events. The optimization process is focused on properly changing the energy absorber wall thickness and shape, in order to promote an efficient buckling mode on the side walls. By using optimal thickness values along the height for different layers in which the particular absorber was divided, an outstanding improvement in Head Injury Criterion has been recorded. The results and the optimization procedure can be extended to various recesses shapes pertaining to the energy absorber. Keywords: optimization, polymeric energy absorber, buckling, finite element analysis