Patent ID: 8052198

Claim:
A hood comprising: a hood shell formed by an outer panel and an inner panel, wherein each of the panels have a uniform gauge thickness therethrough, wherein at least one gap is formed between an inner surface of the outer panel and an outer surface of the inner panel, wherein the at least one gap comprises a depth substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the outer panel; a resilient region defined by a unitary foam core having a uniform density therethrough that substantially fills a volume of the at least one gap to substantially maintain the depth for reinforcing the hood shell and absorbing energy, wherein the unitary foam core is connected to the inner surface of the outer panel or the outer surface of the inner panel and is substantially contained within the at least one gap when the hood receives contact from an external object such that the outer panel, unitary form core, and inner panel act in unison or as one single body; and a plastic deformation region defined by at least one recess formed in the inner panel extending outwardly towards the outer panel and substantially aligned with and open to an underhood component when the hood is installed on a vehicle to allow for elastic deformation of the at least one recess when the hood is impacted by the external object; wherein the at least one recess comprises at least one crumple feature to allow plastic deformation of the at least one recess when the at least one recess contacts the underhood component.