Latching assembly for a vehicle hood, hood lifting system and method of manufacturing the assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a latching assembly (1) for a hood (3) of a vehicle, comprising a first plate (10) having an elongated slot (11) extending in a horizontal direction (H); a second plate (20); a first member (30) mechanically connected to the second plate, the first member extending in a vertical direction (V) through the elongated slot (11), slidably connecting the first plate to the second plate; at least one deformable element (40) fixing the first plate to the second plate in the horizontal direction (H) in a retracted position of the latching assembly, the at least one deformable element being arranged to deform upon impact in the horizontal direction (H), thereby allowing the first plate to slide in the horizontal direction (H) with respect to the second plate to an extended position. The present disclosure also relates to a hood lifting system (100) for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing a latching assembly for a hood of a vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a latch assembly for a hood of a vehicle, a hood lifting system for a vehicle, a vehicle comprising such a hood lifting system, and a method for deploying such a hood lifting system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Protection of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc., can require an active hood system. Such systems are designed to try to reduce the consequences of injury in the event of a collision between a vulnerable road user and a vehicle hood. Typically, these systems should allow a pedestrian to gradually decelerate and to decelerate as much as possible by allowing the hood to deform. Since the space between the hood and the components underneath the hood is limited, a hood lifting system has been developed which can lift the hood in the event of a collision with a vulnerable road user.

[0003] A key to a hood lifting system is a latch assembly, the function of which is to hold the hood in place unless a collision with a vulnerable road user occurs. These latch assemblies are configured to be deployable, i.e. they extend or move in one direction. Current deployable latch assemblies are typically not very compact and can be unreliable in certain collision situations.

[0004] Based on the above, there is a need to provide an improved latch assembly for a vehicle hood. More specifically, there is a need for an improved latch assembly which is more compact and / or more robust. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a latch assembly, a hood lifting system, a vehicle comprising a hood lifting system, and a method for deploying such a hood lifting system to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate the above-mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a latch assembly for a hood of a vehicle. The latch assembly comprises a first plate, a second plate, and a first member, wherein the first plate comprises an elongated slot extending in a horizontal direction, and the first member is mechanically connected to the second plate. The first member extends in a vertical direction through the elongated slot, slidably connecting the first plate to the second plate. The latch assembly further comprises at least one deformable element, which in a retracted position of the latch assembly fixes the first plate to the second plate in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the at least one deformable element is arranged to deform / break when subjected to an impact in the horizontal direction, thereby allowing the first plate to slide in the horizontal direction relative to the second plate to an extended position.

[0008] An advantage of the latch assembly according to the present disclosure is that by slidably connecting the first plate and the second plate by the first member, a compact design is achieved that occupies a minimum of space within the vehicle hood when the latch assembly is in its retracted position. Once extended to the extended position, the latch assembly allows the vehicle’s hood to have an increased deformation zone, also known as a crash zone, breakage zone, crush zone, due to the increased distance between the vehicle’s hood and the rest of the vehicle.

[0009] The horizontal direction should not necessarily be considered as the driving direction of the vehicle, but as the direction in which the first plate of the latch assembly can slide relative to the second plate. The vertical direction can be considered as the extension direction of the first member. Said vertical direction is substantially orthogonal to said horizontal direction. Furthermore, the impact in the horizontal direction is not limited to an external force acting only in the horizontal direction. It simply means that the assembly deforms under the impact of the horizontal component of the force. The impact force component that deforms the at least one deformable element in the horizontal direction can be between 50 N and 500 N, preferably 300 N, or in some aspects more than 500 N, for example 1000 N. Thus, if there is only one deformable element, it can be arranged to withstand an impact force between 50 N and 500 N. If there is more than one deformable element, the force will be distributed evenly between each deformable element. The deformable element is not arranged to deform under, for example, a vertical force component, and does not fix the first plate and the second plate to each other in the vertical direction. Finally, allowing the first plate to slide relative to the second plate simply means that there is relative movement between the first plate and the second plate. In other words, the phrase also includes allowing the second plate to slide relative to the first plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the latch assembly can comprise a second member mechanically connected to the second plate. The first member can be located at a first portion of the second plate and the second member can extend in the vertical direction and be located at a second portion of the second plate. The latch assembly can further comprise a rod extending in the horizontal direction from the first member to the second member. Said rod can be slidably connectable to a hood latch of the vehicle.

[0011] When the rod extends in the horizontal direction from the first member to the second member, an enhanced robustness of the latch assembly is achieved. When the rod is slidably connected to the hood latch of the vehicle, the sliding movement of the latch assembly relative to the hood latch is limited by the horizontal distance between the first member and the second member. This enables a controlled sliding movement of the latch assembly relative to the hood latch. The rod can be referred to as a striker or striker rod. Furthermore, the position of the first portion and the second portion of the second plate determines the horizontal distance between the first member and the second member.

[0012] Furthermore, the first member can extend through a first region of the elongated slot when the latch assembly is in the retracted position, and in the extended position, the first member can extend through a second region of the elongated slot. In other words, upon deformation of the at least one deformable element due to a horizontal impact, the first member can be allowed to slide to the second portion of the elongated slot. Thus, the sliding movement of the first plate relative to the second plate is limited by the length of the elongated slot. In other words, the first member can slide within the elongated slot, and upon the first member being mechanically connected to the second plate, the first plate slides relative to the second plate. This enables an improved control of the sliding movement of the first plate relative to the second plate in the horizontal direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the first member and the second member can comprise an adjustment screw configured to adjust the position of the rod in the vertical direction relative to the second plate. Thus, an appropriate position of the rod in the vertical direction relative to the second plate can be chosen, e.g. depending on the characteristics of the hood latch, the hood or other components of the vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, the first plate can be parallel to the second plate. This has the advantage that any sliding movement of the first plate relative to the second plate occurs in a single direction, which enables a less complex sliding movement of the first plate and the second plate in the latch assembly.

[0015] Furthermore, the second plate can comprise at least one fixed slot, in which the at least one deformable element can be located. This has the advantage that a simple arrangement is achieved to keep the at least one deformable element fixed before a horizontal impact. Thus, the at least one fixed slot can be any slot in which the at least one deformable element is located. This slot can have an extension in the horizontal direction, similar to the elongated slot of the first plate, but functionally differs in that this slot is arranged to lock the at least one deformable element in the horizontal direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the at least one fixed slot can comprise a protrusion configured to lock the at least one deformable element in the horizontal direction in the retracted position. This has the advantage of a further simplified and reliable arrangement to lock the at least one deformable element in the horizontal direction. The protrusion can for example be tooth-shaped to avoid any unwanted horizontal movement of the at least one deformable element within the fixed slot.

[0017] Still further, the protrusion can be located at a first end of the at least one fixed slot. Thus, upon deformation of the at least one deformable element, the fixed slot is allowed to slide in the horizontal direction relative to the deformed at least one deformable element. Thus, a sliding movement of the first plate relative to the second plate can also be allowed.

[0018] Further, the latch assembly can comprise a friction reducing unit. The friction reducing unit can be made of a non-metallic material or can be coated with a non-metallic material, such as a plastic. Other plates, such as the first plate and the second plate, can be made of metal. This has the advantage that the friction reducing unit can be used to separate the metal plates or components, such as the first plate and the second plate, from direct contact with each other. Further, the metal plates or components in direct contact increase the risk of corrosion and / or dirt getting stuck between the plates, which can result in an increased friction between the first plate and the second plate. As such, the friction reducing unit improves the sliding movement of the first plate relative to the second plate.

[0019] Further, the at least one deformable element can comprise a plastic bushing. Plastic bushings are cheap and easy to construct in such a way that they reliably deform under the appropriate impact force. However, the at least one deformable element can comprise a screw, such as a metal screw, in particular an aluminum screw.

[0020] Further, the at least one deformable element can comprise a ring or collar portion and an intermediate or center portion. The intermediate portion can be attached to the ring portion and the ring portion and the intermediate portion can comprise a predetermined spacing or distance therebetween to control the impact force needed to deform the at least one deformable element. This has the advantage that the force to deform the bushing can be easily configured due to the predetermined spacing between the ring portion and the intermediate portion. In this example, the ring portion can be a ring of material extending around the intermediate portion, which can be cylindrical. However, other shapes can be used as long as there is a predetermined spacing between the components.

[0021] Further, an engine hood lifting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The engine hood lifting system comprises an engine hood latch and a latch assembly according to any of the preceding aspects of the present disclosure. The latch assembly is slidably connected to the engine hood latch. Further, the engine hood lifting system comprises an actuator configured to move the latch assembly relative to the engine hood latch upon a collision of the vehicle with a vulnerable road user and the latch assembly is linearly moved away from the engine hood latch in its retracted position upon actuation of the actuator. The at least one deformable element is arranged to deform upon the latch assembly reaching a stop position preventing further linear movement of the latch assembly away from the engine hood latch, thereby allowing the first plate to slide in a horizontal direction relative to the second plate to an extended position.

[0022] Vulnerable road users are a collective term for road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, users of electric scooters, and animals. The latch assembly being slidably connected to the hood latch should be interpreted as the latch assembly being configured to slide in the hood latch in certain situations. Actuation of a suitable actuator, preferably a pyrotechnic actuator, results in a force that moves the latch assembly relative to the hood latch.

[0023] The linear movement of the latch assembly away from the hood latch in its retracted position should be considered as the first plate of the latch assembly not yet being allowed to slide relative to the second plate. Thus, the latch assembly moves in its un-deployed retracted position before reaching the stop position. Secondly, the fact that the latch assembly moves away from the hood latch only means that the distance between a part of the latch assembly and the hood latch increases as the latch assembly starts to move. In other words, the movement is relative and the term "movement" can mean that the hood latch moves away from the latch assembly.

[0024] The stop position should be considered as the position in which the impact of the latch assembly deforms the at least one deformable element. In this position, the latch assembly itself cannot move further relative to the hood latch, although it is still subject to the force in the horizontal direction. Thus, the occurrence of the deformation of the at least one deformable element allows the first plate of the latch assembly to slide relative to the second plate and thus brings the entire latch assembly to the extended position. This enables a hood lifting system that occupies a minimum of space within the vehicle hood before actuation of the actuator, while enabling hood lifting with an increased deformation area after actuation of the actuator and deformation of the at least one deformable element.

[0025] Furthermore, the latch assembly of the hood lifting system can comprise a second member mechanically connected to the second plate. The first member can be located at a first area of the second plate, the second member can extend in a vertical direction and can be located at a second portion of the second plate. The latch assembly can further comprise a rod extending in a horizontal direction from the first member to the second member, and the rod can be slidably connectable to the hood latch. The stop position of the hood lifting system can be reached upon horizontal impact of the second member and the hood latch.

[0026] An advantage of this is that an enhanced control of the sliding movement of the latch assembly relative to the hood assembly is achieved. Upon actuation of the actuator, the rod can slide within the hood latch in a horizontal direction. The rod can be referred to as a striker or striker rod. Thus, the latch assembly will move in a horizontal direction. The first member and the second member limit the horizontal distance the rod can slide within the hood latch. Thus, the latch assembly starts to slide within the hood latch by the rod from a point in the vicinity of the first member to the second member. Once the second member reaches the hood latch, the latch assembly cannot slide further and reaches a stop position. The impact between the second member and the hood latch generates a force that deforms the at least one deformable element, which allows the first plate of the latch assembly to slide relative to the second plate and the latch assembly reaches an extended position.

[0027] Further, a vehicle comprising a hood lifting system according to any of the previous aspects of the present disclosure is provided.

[0028] Further, a method of manufacturing a latch assembly for a vehicle hood is provided. The method comprises providing a first plate comprising an elongated slot extending in a horizontal direction, providing a second plate, mechanically connecting a first member to the second plate. The first member extends in a vertical direction through the elongated slot, slidably connecting the first plate to the second plate. Further, the method comprises the step of providing at least one deformable element arranged to fix the first plate to the second plate in a horizontal direction, the at least one deformable element being arranged to deform upon impact in a horizontal direction.

[0029] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved.

[0030] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter.

[0031] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in a non-limiting manner and in more detail with reference to the exemplary aspects shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 An exploded view of a latch assembly for a vehicle hood is shown;

[0034] Fig. 2a shows the latch assembly in its retracted position;

[0035] Fig. 2b shows the latch assembly in its extended position;

[0036] Figure 3aa latching assembly in its retracted position in a view without the first plate is shown;

[0037] Figure 3b a latching assembly in its extended position in a view without the first plate is shown;

[0038] Figure 4 a detailed view of a deformable element of a latching assembly is shown;

[0039] Fig. 5a shows the hood lifting system before actuator actuation;

[0040] Fig. 5b shows the hood lifting system after actuator actuation and latching assembly reaching a stop position;

[0041] Fig. 5c shows the hood lifting system and a latching assembly in its extended position.

[0042] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve merely to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements have in principle the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 An exploded view of a latching assembly 1 for a vehicle hood is shown. The latching assembly 1 comprises a first plate 10 comprising an elongated slot 11 extending in a horizontal direction H. The elongated slot 11 can comprise a first region 11a and a second region 11b located near or at the ends of the elongated slot 11. The latching assembly 1 comprises a second plate 20. The second plate 20 can comprise at least one fixation slot 21. The fixation slot 21 can comprise a first end 21a. A first member 30 is shown mechanically connected with the second plate 20, for example through a socket or sleeve portion of the first member 30 integrated to the surface of the second plate 30. The second plate 20 shown here is located below the first plate 10 with respect to a vertical direction V, but other configurations are possible.

[0044] As Figure 1 shown, the first member 30 is mechanically connected with the second plate 20, for example through a socket integrated directly to the second plate. The first member 30 can additionally comprise an adjustment screw. The second member 31 can be mechanically connected with the second plate 20 in a similar or different manner than the first member 30. The second member 31 can also comprise an adjustment screw. The latching assembly 1 comprises at least one deformable element 40, which can comprise a ring member 40a and an intermediate member 40b. The at least one deformable element 40 can be located within the at least one fixation slot 21 of the second plate 20 and can further be located at the first end 21a of the at least one fixation slot 21. One or more deformable elements 40 can comprise a plastic bushing. As Figure 1As shown, there can be two fixing slots 21 and two deformable elements 40. However, the number of fixing slots 21 and deformable elements 40 can be varied according to the preferences of those skilled in the art.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the latch assembly 1 may include a lever 50. The lever 50 may also be referred to as a striker or striker lever. The lever 50 may be slidably connected to the vehicle's hood latch 2 (as shown in Figures 5a-5c). The lever 50 may extend horizontally from the first member 30 to the second member 31. Figure 1 As shown, the latch assembly may include a third plate 60. The third plate 60 serves as a base for the latch assembly 1, providing increased durability to the latch assembly 1, and may include the intermediate portion 40b of the at least one deformable element 40. The first plate 10, the second plate 20, and the third plate 60 are preferably made of metal. Furthermore, the latch assembly may include friction-reducing units 70, 80. Figure 1 As shown, the friction-reducing units 70, 80 may include a first friction-reducing plate 70 and a second friction-reducing plate 80. These plates may be arranged to sandwich the second plate 20 in between. In some aspects of this disclosure, the friction-reducing units 70, 80 may include or fix the at least one deformable element 40. The friction-reducing units 70, 80 are preferably made of plastic and may be arranged to avoid direct contact between the metal parts of the latch assembly 1.

[0046] Figure 2a shows the latch assembly 1 in the retracted position. As shown, in the retracted position, the first plate 10 passes through the at least one deformable element 40 (e.g., Figure 1 As shown, it is fixed to the second plate 20 in the horizontal direction.

[0047] Figure 2b shows the latch assembly in its extended position. As shown, when the at least one deformable element 40 (e.g., Figure 1 As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the first plate 10 reaches the extended position when it is deformed, allowing the first plate 10 to slide relative to the second plate 20. The first plate 10 and the second plate 20 become slidably connected as the first member 30 extends through the elongated slot 11 in the vertical direction V. During the deformation of the at least one deformable element 40, the first member 30 can slide from the first region 11a to the second region 11b of the elongated slot 11. As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the offset between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 in the horizontal direction H increases in the extended position compared to the retracted position.

[0048] Figure 3aThe latching assembly 1 is shown in the retracted position, here the first plate 10 is not shown for illustrative purposes. The deformable element 40 can be located in the fixation slot 21. Multiple fixation slots 21 and deformable elements 40 can be used. In the retracted position, the deformable element 40 prevents any horizontal sliding movement between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20. The deformable element can also be located in the first end 21a of the fixation slot 21.

[0049] Figure 3b The latching assembly 1 is shown in the extended position, here the first plate 10 is not shown for illustrative purposes. As shown, the deformable element 40 is now deformed, allowing the first plate 10 to slide relative to the second plate 20. Thus, the extended position can be reached. If the deformable element 40 is located in the fixation slot 21, the deformable element 21 can no longer be limited to be located in the first end 21a of the fixation slot 21.

[0050] Figure 4 A detailed view of the deformable element 40 of the latching assembly is shown. The deformable element 40 can comprise a ring-shaped portion 40a and an intermediate portion 40b. As shown, the ring-shaped portion 40a and the intermediate portion 40b can further comprise a predetermined spacing 41 located therebetween. The deformable element 40 can be located at the first end 21a of the fixation slot 21 (e.g. Figure 3a As shown, the protrusion 22 can be located at the first end 21a of the fixation slot 21, but the protrusion 22 can be located at any portion of the fixation slot 21 deemed suitable by the skilled person.

[0051] Fig. 5a shows the bonnet lifting system 100 before actuator actuation, in other words, the bonnet lifting system 100 in normal driving conditions. As shown, the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V do not mean the same as the horizontal and vertical extension of the vehicle itself. These directions should always be interpreted in relation to the latching assembly. As such, the horizontal direction H is the direction in which the bonnet lifting system 100 and the latching assembly 1 slide, and the vertical direction V is the direction of extension of the first member 30. As shown, the latching assembly 1 is in its retracted position, which means that any relative movement between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 is prevented by the at least one deformable element 40. Upon actuator actuation, the latching assembly 1 starts to move in the horizontal direction H relative to the bonnet latch 2. This movement can be facilitated by the lever 50, which is slidably connected to the bonnet latch 2.

[0052] Fig. 5b shows the bonnet lifting system 100 after the actuator has been actuated and the latch assembly 1 has reached a stop position. In this position, there is no more space for the latch assembly 1 to move relative to the bonnet latch 2. Therefore, the latch assembly 1 collides with the bonnet latch 2, thereby deforming the deformable element 40 (e.g. Figure 1 As shown in Fig. 5b, the stop position is reached upon a horizontal impact of the second member 31 and the bonnet latch 2, thereby the second member 31 obstructs further linear movement of the latch assembly 1 relative to the bonnet latch 2. It should be noted that in some aspects of the present disclosure, the second member 31 can be interchanged with any other suitable means of preventing the latch assembly 1 from moving relative to the bonnet latch 2 after linear movement. After the latch assembly has reached the stop position as shown in Fig. 5b, the resulting horizontal impact allows the deformable element 40 to deform.

[0053] Fig. 5c shows the bonnet lifting system 100 and the latch assembly 1 in its extended position. This state occurs after the deformable element 40 has been deformed. When the first plate 10 is now allowed to move relative to the second plate 20, the extended position is reached as shown in Fig. 5c, thereby allowing the deployment of the bonnet.

[0054] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A latching assembly (1) for an engine hood (3) of a vehicle, comprising: - A first plate (10) comprising an elongated groove (11) extending in the horizontal direction (H), -Second board (20), A first component (30), mechanically connected to the second plate (20), extends in the vertical direction (V) through the elongated slot (11), slidably connecting the first plate (10) to the second plate (20). - At least one deformable element (40), in the retracted position of the latch assembly (1), the at least one deformable element (40) secures the first plate (10) to the second plate (20) in the horizontal direction (H), and The at least one deformable element (40) is arranged to deform upon impact in the horizontal direction (H), thereby allowing the first plate (10) to slide relative to the second plate (20) in the horizontal direction (H) to an extended position. The latch assembly is characterized by comprising: - A second member (31) mechanically connected to the second plate (20), wherein the first member (30) is located at a first portion (20a) of the second plate (20), and the second member (31) extends in the vertical direction (V) and is located at a second portion (20b) of the second plate (20), and A rod (50) extends from the first member (30) to the second member (31) in the horizontal direction (H), and the rod (50) is slidably connectable to the hood latch (2) of the vehicle.

2. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, In the retracted position, the first member (30) extends through a first region (11a) of the elongated groove (11), and in the extended position, the first member (30) extends through a second region (11b) of the elongated groove (11).

3. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first component (30) and the second component (31) include adjusting screws configured to adjust the position of the rod (50) relative to the second plate (20) in the vertical direction (V).

4. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first plate (10) is parallel to the second plate (20).

5. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The second plate (20) includes at least one fixing groove (21), in which the at least one deformable element (40) is located.

6. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The at least one retaining groove (21) includes a protrusion (22) configured to lock the at least one deformable element (40) in the horizontal direction (H) in the retracted position.

7. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The protrusion (22) is located at the first end (21a) of the at least one fixing groove (21).

8. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2 further includes a friction reduction unit (70, 80).

9. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one deformable element (40) includes a plastic bushing.

10. The latch assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one deformable element (40) includes an annular portion (40a) and an intermediate portion (40b), the intermediate portion (40) being attached to the annular portion (40a), the annular portion (40a) and the intermediate portion (40b) including a predetermined interval (41) therebetween.

11. A hood lifting system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: - Engine hood latch (2), - The latch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, said latch assembly (1) being slidably connected to the hood latch (2), - An actuator configured to move the latch assembly (1) relative to the hood latch (2) upon collision between the vehicle and a vulnerable road user, and When the actuator is actuated, the latch assembly (1) moves linearly away from the hood latch in its retracted position, and At least one deformable element (40) of the latch assembly (1) is arranged to deform when the latch assembly (1) reaches a stop position that prevents the latch assembly (1) from moving further linearly away from the hood latch (2), thereby allowing the first plate (10) to slide in the horizontal direction (H) to an extended position relative to the second plate (20) of the latch assembly (1).

12. The engine hood lifting system (100) for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein, The latch assembly (1) further includes: - A second member (31) mechanically connected to the second plate (20), wherein the first member (30) is located at a first portion (20a) of the second plate (20), and the second member (31) extends in the vertical direction (V) and is located at a second portion (20b) of the second plate (20). A rod (50) extending from the first member (30) to the second member (31) in the horizontal direction (H), and the rod (50) being slidably connectable to the vehicle's hood latch (2), and The rod (50) is slidably connected to the engine hood latch (2), and The stop position is reached upon horizontal impact of the second component (31) and the engine hood latch (2).

13. A vehicle comprising the hood lifting system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A method for manufacturing a latch assembly (1) for an engine hood (3) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1-10, comprising: - A first plate (10) is provided, the first plate (10) including an elongated groove (11) extending in the horizontal direction (H), -Provide a second board (20), - The first component (30) is mechanically connected to the second plate (20), the first component (30) extending in the vertical direction (V) through the elongated slot (11). - Slidably connect the first plate (10) to the second plate (20), and - Provide at least one deformable element (40) arranged to secure the first plate (10) to the second plate (20) in the horizontal direction (H), the at least one deformable element (40) being arranged to deform upon impact in the horizontal direction (H). Its features are: - A second member (31) is mechanically connected to the second plate (20), the first member (30) being located at a first portion (20a) of the second plate (20), and the second member (31) extending in the vertical direction (V) and located at a second portion (20b) of the second plate (20), and A rod (50) extends from the first member (30) to the second member (31) in the horizontal direction (H), and the rod (50) is slidably connected to the hood latch (2) of the vehicle.

Images