A DFSS Approach to Optimize the Hood Design Parameters to Improve Durability Performance

In the vehicle front closure development process, it is very important to meet the durability functional attributes such as Fit and finish, slam event and ease of closing effort. Conventionally softer seal & bump-stop stiffness properties are required for better flushness, but a stiffer seal & bump-stop will help to arrest the hood over travel during the slam event. It is always a challenging and iterative process to arrive at an optimum combination of these design parameters to meet both the flushness and slam targets.

This paper highlights the six sigma approach to identify the effect of various control factors like Seal & Bump stop stiffness, latch position, bump-stop design clearance to meet the durability functional attributes. This approach suggests optimum design which is less sensitive to noise factors such as build tolerances on the latch position and the bump-stop design clearance. The learnings from this paper will help to improve design at the early stages of the product development cycle and thereby reducing overall cost and time.