Automobile engine hood pop-up protection device and protection method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a car engine hood bounce protection device and a protection method thereof. The car engine hood bounce protection device comprises an engine hood, a visual identification sensor, a collision and vehicle speed sensing assembly, and a controller. The engine hood comprises an inner plate, an outer plate, a first bounce assembly and a second bounce assembly. The outer plate comprises a first plate body and a second plate body arranged in front and back and separated from each other. The controller receives a collision signal and a real-time vehicle speed sent by the collision and vehicle speed sensing assembly, and a category of vulnerable road users sent by the visual identification sensor. When it is determined that the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined vehicle speed, a lifting control signal is sent to the first bounce assembly or the second bounce assembly according to the category of the vulnerable road users. The rear end of the first plate body is lifted by the first bounce assembly, or the rear end of the second plate body is lifted by the second bounce assembly. The application can reduce the collision between the head of the collided person and the inner plate with relatively large rigidity, and can protect different vulnerable road users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, and in particular to a protective device for a pop-up hood of an automobile and a method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] In traffic accidents, vulnerable road users (VRUs) are often the most susceptible to injury, with head injuries being a leading cause of death. Current car hoods typically consist of a less rigid outer panel and a more rigid inner panel. Studies have shown that uneven hood strength hinders head movement on the hood surface after a collision, thus increasing the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) value. This is one of the main causes of pedestrian head injuries, and the uniformity of hood strength largely depends on the design of the inner panel.

[0003] Existing active pop-up hoods lift the entire car hood (inner and outer panels together), which can only prevent the head of a person being hit from colliding with the hard points of the engine below to a certain extent, but cannot reduce the impact of the inner panel of the hood on the head.

[0004] Furthermore, current regulations classify the wrap-around distance (WAD) of the vehicle's hood area based on different types of VRUs (Vehicle Respirators). For example, the impact zone for a child's head is WAD 1000-WAD 1700, for an adult's head is WAD 1700-WAD 2100, and for a two-wheeled cyclist's head is WAD 2100-WAD 2300. Simply put, the head impact contact area differs when different VRUs collide with a vehicle; a child's impact zone is further forward, while an adult's and a two-wheeled cyclist's impact zone is further backward. Current active pop-up hoods simply raise the entire hood, and therefore cannot provide targeted protection for different VRUs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a car engine hood pop-up protection device and its protection method, which aims to reduce the collision between the head of the person being hit and the inner panel with greater rigidity, while providing targeted protection for different vulnerable road users.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a car hood pop-up protection device, which includes a hood, a visual recognition sensor, a collision and speed sensing component, and a controller. The hood is mounted on the engine compartment at the front of the car, and the visual recognition sensor, collision and speed sensing component, and controller are mounted on the front of the car and are all communicatively connected to the controller.

[0007] The engine hood includes an inner panel, an outer panel, a first pop-up assembly, and a second pop-up assembly. The outer panel is mounted on the inner panel. The outer panel includes a first plate and a second plate that are arranged front to back and separated from each other. The front end of the first plate is rotatably connected to the front end of the inner panel. The front end of the second plate is located near the rear end of the first plate and is rotatably connected to the inner panel. The first pop-up assembly is installed between the rear ends of the inner panel and the first plate, and the second pop-up assembly is installed between the rear ends of the inner panel and the second plate.

[0008] The collision and speed sensing component is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and to sense the real-time speed of the front of the vehicle. When a collision is detected at the front of the vehicle, a collision signal and the real-time speed are sent to the controller.

[0009] The visual recognition sensor is used to monitor the situation in front of the car in real time, automatically identify whether the object that collides with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user, and when the object that collides with the front of the car is identified as a vulnerable road user, the sensor determines the category of the identified vulnerable road user and sends the category of the vulnerable road user to the controller.

[0010] The controller is configured to: receive a collision signal and real-time vehicle speed from the collision and vehicle speed sensing components, and receive the category of vulnerable road users from the visual recognition sensor; upon receiving the collision signal, real-time vehicle speed, and category of vulnerable road users, determine whether the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed; if the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, send a lift control signal to the first pop-up component or the second pop-up component according to the category of the vulnerable road user; if the category of the vulnerable road user is a child, send a lift control signal to the first pop-up component; if the category of the vulnerable road user is an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, send a lift control signal to the second pop-up component.

[0011] The first pop-up component is communicatively connected to the controller and is used to lift the rear end of the first plate after receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller;

[0012] The second pop-up component is communicatively connected to the controller and is used to lift the rear end of the second plate after receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller.

[0013] Preferably, the first and second pop-up assemblies have the same structure, both including an airbag module and two pneumatic lifters. The airbag module includes a long strip-shaped housing and an igniter, filter, gas generator, and airbag disposed within the housing. The two pneumatic lifters are disposed at both ends of the housing. Each pneumatic lifter includes a cylinder and a piston rod. The cylinder is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module through a gas conduit.

[0014] Preferably, when the first pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the first plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap the rear end of the first plate.

[0015] When the second pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the second plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap around the rear end of the second plate.

[0016] Preferably, the gas conduit is provided with a one-way gas valve, which is used to control the gas to flow unidirectionally from the gas generator toward the pneumatic jack.

[0017] Preferably, the cylinder of the pneumatic lifter is provided with a pressure relief valve, which is used to set the internal air pressure threshold of the pneumatic lifter according to the force threshold of the person's head.

[0018] Preferably, the inner wall of the first plate is provided with two longitudinal sliding grooves corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters of the first pop-up assembly, and the outer end of the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter of the first pop-up assembly is connected to a slider, which is hooked in the sliding groove of the first plate.

[0019] Preferably, the inner wall of the second plate is provided with two longitudinal sliding grooves corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters of the second pop-up assembly, and the outer end of the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter of the second pop-up assembly is connected to a slider, which is hooked in the sliding groove of the second plate.

[0020] Preferably, the slider is spherical and the cross-section of the groove is spherical.

[0021] Secondly, this application also provides a protection method for the aforementioned automobile engine hood pop-up protection device, the protection method comprising:

[0022] The collision and speed sensing component senses whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and senses the real-time speed of the front of the vehicle. When a collision is detected at the front of the vehicle, it sends a collision signal and the real-time speed to the controller.

[0023] The visual recognition sensor monitors the situation in front of the car in real time, automatically identifies whether the object that collides with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user, and when the object that collides with the front of the car is identified as a vulnerable road user, it determines the category of the identified vulnerable road user and sends the category of the vulnerable road user to the controller.

[0024] When the controller receives a collision signal and real-time vehicle speed from the collision and vehicle speed sensing components and the category of vulnerable road users from the visual recognition sensor, it determines whether the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed. If it determines that the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, it sends a lifting control signal to the first or second pop-up component according to the category of the vulnerable road user.

[0025] If the vulnerable road user is a child, the controller sends a lifting control signal to the first pop-up component, and the first pop-up component lifts the rear end of the first plate after receiving the lifting control signal from the controller.

[0026] If the vulnerable road user is classified as an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, the controller sends a lifting control signal to the second pop-up component; upon receiving the lifting control signal from the controller, the rear end of the second plate is lifted.

[0027] Preferably, the first and second pop-up assemblies have the same structure, both including an airbag module and two pneumatic lifters. The airbag module includes a long strip-shaped housing and an igniter, a filter, a gas generator, and an airbag disposed within the housing. The two pneumatic lifters are disposed at both ends of the housing. Each pneumatic lifter includes a cylinder and a piston rod. The cylinder is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module through a gas conduit.

[0028] When the first pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module works, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the first plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap the rear end of the first plate.

[0029] When the second pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the second plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap around the rear end of the second plate.

[0030] The automobile hood pop-up protection device and method proposed in this application divides the hood into an inner panel and an outer panel, and the outer panel into a first plate and a second plate that are arranged front and rear and separated. A collision and speed sensing component is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and to sense the real-time speed of the vehicle's front end. A visual recognition sensor is used to automatically identify whether the object that collided with the front of the vehicle is a vulnerable road user and to determine the category of the identified vulnerable road user. A controller determines whether the real-time speed is above a predetermined speed, and when it is determined that the real-time speed is above the predetermined speed, the hood pops up accordingly based on the category of the vulnerable road user. The first or second pop-up assembly sends a lift control signal. If the vulnerable road user is a child, it sends a lift control signal to the first pop-up assembly, which then lifts the rear end of the first panel upon receiving the lift control signal. If the vulnerable road user is an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, it sends a lift control signal to the second pop-up assembly, which then lifts the rear end of the second panel upon receiving the lift control signal. This reduces the impact of the victim's head on the rigid inner panel and provides targeted protection for different vulnerable road users, further reducing head injuries and lowering the mortality rate of such accidents. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an automobile engine hood pop-up protection device provided in one embodiment of this application, wherein both the first plate and the second plate of the outer panel are in an unpumped state;

[0032] Figure 2 Another structural block diagram of an automobile engine hood pop-up protection device provided in one embodiment of this application, wherein the first plate of the outer panel is in a lifted state;

[0033] Figure 3 Another structural block diagram of an automobile engine hood pop-up protection device provided in one embodiment of this application, wherein the second plate of the outer panel is in a lifted state;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the engine hood in an embodiment of the automobile engine hood pop-up protection device provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a rear view of the engine hood, with the first panel of the outer plate in a raised position. The airbag module of the first pop-up assembly and the second pop-up assembly are not shown in the diagram.

[0036] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The side view of the engine hood shown;

[0037] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows a top view of the engine hood, illustrating the deployed state of the airbag module.

[0038] Figure 8 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the first pop-up assembly / second pop-up assembly in the engine hood;

[0039] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of the first / second pop-up assembly shown;

[0040] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The diagram shows the structure of the pneumatic lifter in the lifting state of the first / second spring-up assembly.

[0041] Figure 11 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the first plate of the outer panel in the engine hood as viewed from the back.

[0042] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0043] Figure 13 for Figure 11 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0044] Figure 14 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the second plate of the outer panel in the engine hood, viewed from the back.

[0045] Figure 15 for Figure 14 Enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0046] Figure 16 for Figure 14 Enlarged view of point D in the middle.

[0047] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0048] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0049] The following will introduce the automobile engine hood pop-up protection device and its protection method involved in this application.

[0050] Please see Figures 1 to 16 , Figures 1 to 16 An embodiment of this application provides a car engine hood pop-up protection device, which includes an engine hood 1, a visual recognition sensor 2, a collision and vehicle speed sensing component 3, and a controller 4. The engine hood 1 is installed on the engine compartment (not shown in the figure) of the front of the car (only part is shown). The visual recognition sensor 2, the collision and vehicle speed sensing component 3, and the controller 4 are installed on the front of the car and are all communicatively connected to the controller 4.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the visual recognition sensor 2 is positioned above the windshield 5 of the vehicle, and the collision and speed sensing component 3 is positioned inside the front bumper 6 of the vehicle. The positions of the visual recognition sensor 2 and the collision and speed sensing component 3 are not limited to this; in other embodiments, the visual recognition sensor 2 and the collision and speed sensing component 3 can also be positioned at other locations on the front of the vehicle.

[0052] The engine hood 1 includes an inner panel 11, an outer panel 12, a first pop-up assembly 13A, and a second pop-up assembly 13B. The inner panel 11 has relatively high rigidity, while the outer panel 12 has relatively low rigidity; that is, the inner panel 11 has greater rigidity than the outer panel 12. The outer panel 12 is mounted on the inner panel 11 and includes a first plate 15 and a second plate 16 arranged front-to-back and separated from each other. The first plate 15 is positioned forward, corresponding to the child head impact area (WAD1000-WAD1700), and the second plate 16 is positioned rearward, corresponding to the adult head impact area (WAD1700-WAD2100) and the two-wheeled vehicle rider head impact area (WAD2100-WAD2300). The front end 151 of the first plate 15 is rotatably connected to the front end 111 of the inner plate 11, and the front end 161 of the second plate 16 is disposed near the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 and rotatably connected to the inner plate 11; the first pop-up assembly 13A is installed between the inner plate 11 and the rear end 152 of the first plate 15, and the second pop-up assembly 13B is installed between the inner plate 11 and the rear end 162 of the second plate 16.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 11 and Figure 13In this embodiment, the front end 151 of the first plate 15 and the front end 111 of the inner plate 11 can be rotatably connected by a hinge. A plurality of first hinge blocks 154 are formed on the inner side of the front end 151 of the first plate 15 at intervals. The first hinge block 154 is provided with a first shaft hole 155. The front end 111 of the inner plate 11 is correspondingly formed with a plurality of second hinge blocks (not shown in the figure) at intervals. The second hinge block is provided with a second shaft hole (not shown in the figure). By inserting the first hinge block 154 and the second hinge block, and passing a pin (not shown in the figure) through the first shaft hole 155 and the second shaft hole, the front end 151 of the first plate 15 and the front end 111 of the inner plate 11 are hinged together.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 14 and Figure 16 In this embodiment, the front end 161 of the second plate 16 and the inner plate 11 can be rotatably connected by a hinge. A plurality of third hinge blocks 164 are formed on the inner side of the front end 161 of the second plate 16 at intervals. The third hinge blocks 164 are provided with third shaft holes 165. The inner plate 11 is correspondingly formed with a plurality of fourth hinge blocks (not shown in the figure) at intervals. The fourth hinge blocks are provided with fourth shaft holes (not shown in the figure). By inserting the third hinge blocks 164 and the fourth hinge blocks, and passing a pin (not shown in the figure) through the third shaft hole 165 and the fourth shaft hole, the front end 161 of the second plate 16 and the inner plate 11 are hinged together.

[0055] The collision and speed sensing component 3 is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and to sense the real-time speed of the vehicle's front end. When a collision is detected, it sends a collision signal and the real-time speed to the controller 4. The collision and speed sensing component 3 may include both a collision sensor and a speed sensor. The collision sensor is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle, and the speed sensor is used to sense the real-time speed of the vehicle's front end.

[0056] The visual recognition sensor 2 is used to monitor the situation in front of the vehicle in real time, automatically identifying whether the object colliding with the front of the vehicle is a vulnerable road user. When a vulnerable road user is identified, the sensor determines the category of the vulnerable road user and sends this category to the controller 4. The categories of vulnerable road users include three types: children, adults, and two-wheeled vehicle riders. The identification of the collision object by the visual recognition sensor 2 is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. Children and adults can be distinguished by setting their height.

[0057] The controller 4 is used to: receive the collision signal and real-time vehicle speed sent by the collision and vehicle speed sensing component 3, and receive the category of vulnerable road users sent by the visual recognition sensor 2; upon receiving the collision signal, real-time vehicle speed, and category of vulnerable road users, determine whether the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed; if the real-time vehicle speed is determined to be above the predetermined speed, send a lift control signal to the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B according to the category of vulnerable road users. If the category of vulnerable road users is a child, a lift control signal is sent to the first pop-up component 13A; if the category of vulnerable road users is an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, a lift control signal is sent to the second pop-up component 13B. If the controller 4 only receives the collision signal and real-time vehicle speed, but does not receive the category of vulnerable road users, for example, if the front of the car collides with another car, which is not a collision with a vulnerable road user, then the controller 4 will not determine whether the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, and therefore will not trigger the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B. If it is determined that the real-time vehicle speed has not reached the predetermined vehicle speed, the controller 4 will not send a lifting control signal, that is, it will not trigger the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B.

[0058] The first pop-up assembly 13A is communicatively connected to the controller 4 and is used to lift the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 after receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller 4. Figure 2 (As shown).

[0059] The second lifting assembly 13B is communicatively connected to the controller 4 and is used to lift the rear end 162 of the second plate 16 (e.g., upon receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller 4) Figure 3 (As shown).

[0060] Please refer to Figures 8 to 10 The first pop-up assembly 13A and the second pop-up assembly 13B have the same structure, both including an airbag module 17 and two pneumatic lifters 18. The airbag module 17 includes a long strip-shaped housing 171 and an igniter, filter, gas generator (not shown in the figure), and airbag 172 (as shown in the figure) disposed within the housing 171. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, this is the state when the airbag 172 is deployed; two pneumatic lifters 18 are disposed at both ends of the housing 171. Each pneumatic lifter 18 includes a cylinder 181 and a piston rod 182. The cylinder 181 is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module 17 via a gas conduit 19. The specific structure of the airbag module 17 is already known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pneumatic lifter 18 is a two-stage telescopic cylinder, and also includes a secondary cylinder 184 sleeved on the cylinder 181. The structure of the pneumatic lifter 18 is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the pneumatic lifter 18 can also be a single-stage telescopic cylinder or a three-stage telescopic cylinder, etc.

[0062] When the first ejection assembly 13A receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module 17 operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. A portion of the generated gas enters the pneumatic lifter 18 through the gas conduit 19 to drive the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 to extend (e.g., Figure 10 (As shown) to lift the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 (as shown) Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown), another part of the generated gas is filled into the airbag 172, causing the airbag 172 to unfold to wrap the rear end 152 of the first plate 15, thus preventing the opening of the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 from causing additional damage to the head of the person being hit.

[0063] When the second pop-up assembly 13B receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module 17 operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. A portion of the generated gas enters the pneumatic lifter 18 through the gas conduit 19 to drive the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 to extend (e.g., Figure 10 (As shown) to lift the rear end 162 of the second plate 16 (as shown) Figure 2 As shown), another portion of the generated gas is injected into the airbag 172, causing the airbag 172 to deploy and wrap around the rear end 162 of the second plate 16. This prevents the opening at the rear end 162 of the second plate 16 from causing additional injury to the head of the person being hit.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 9 A one-way valve 20 is installed on the gas conduit 19. The one-way valve 20 is used to control the unidirectional flow of gas from the gas generator to the pneumatic lifter 18, so as to prevent the gas in the cavity of the pneumatic lifter 18 from flowing back to the gas generator through the gas conduit 19. This can ensure the continuous operation of the pneumatic lifter 19. A pressure relief valve 21 is installed on the cylinder 181 of the pneumatic lifter 18. The pressure relief valve 21 is used to set the internal air pressure threshold of the pneumatic lifter 18 according to the force threshold of the head of the person being hit.

[0065] The deployment time of the airbag 172 can be designed by controlling parameters such as the gas generation rate of the gas generator and the size of the airbag 172. The lifting time of the pneumatic lifter 18 can be designed by controlling parameters such as the gas generation rate of the gas generator, the air intake rate of the one-way valve 20, and the internal volume of the pneumatic lifter 18.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 9, Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The inner wall of the first plate 15 is provided with two longitudinal grooves 153 corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters 18 of the first pop-up assembly 13A. The outer end of the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 of the first pop-up assembly 13A is connected to a slider 183, which hooks into the groove 153 of the first plate 15. The slider 183 is spherical, and the cross-section of the groove 153 is spherical. By setting up the slider 183 and the corresponding groove 153, on the one hand, when the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 is not extended in the initial state, the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 can be engaged with the pneumatic lifter 18 to prevent the rear end 152 of the first plate 15 from opening due to inertia during operation. On the other hand, when the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 extends to lift the rear end 152 of the first plate 15, the slider 183 can slide in the groove 153 to limit the lifting height of the rear end 152 of the first plate 15.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 The inner wall of the second plate 16 is provided with two longitudinal grooves 163 corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters 18 of the second pop-up assembly 13B. The outer end of the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 of the second pop-up assembly 13B is connected to a slider 183, which hooks into the groove 163 of the second plate 16. The slider 183 is spherical, and the cross-section of the groove 163 is spherical. By setting up the slider 183 and the corresponding groove 163, on the one hand, when the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 is not extended in the initial state, the rear end 162 of the second plate 16 can be engaged with the pneumatic lifter 18 to prevent the rear end 162 of the second plate 16 from opening due to inertia during operation. On the other hand, when the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 extends to lift the rear end 162 of the second plate 16, the slider 183 can slide in the groove 163 to limit the lifting height of the rear end 162 of the second plate 16.

[0068] The car hood pop-up protection device divides the hood 1 into an inner panel 11 and an outer panel 12. The outer panel 12 is further divided into a first panel 15 and a second panel 16, which are arranged front and rear and separated. A collision and speed sensing component 3 is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the car and to sense the real-time speed of the car's front end. A visual recognition sensor 2 is used to automatically identify whether the object colliding with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user and to determine the category of the identified vulnerable road user. A controller 4 determines whether the real-time speed is above a predetermined speed. When determining whether the real-time speed is above the predetermined speed, the controller accordingly sends a notification to either the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13A based on the category of the vulnerable road user. B sends a lift control signal. If the vulnerable road user is a child, the first lift control signal is sent to the first pop-up assembly 13A. After receiving the lift control signal from the controller 4, the first pop-up assembly 13A lifts the rear end 152 of the first plate 15. If the vulnerable road user is an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, the second pop-up assembly 13B sends a lift control signal. After receiving the lift control signal from the controller 4, the second pop-up assembly 13B lifts the rear end 162 of the second plate 16. This can reduce the collision between the head of the person being hit and the rigid inner plate 11, and can provide targeted protection for different vulnerable road users, further reducing head collision injuries and lowering the casualty rate of such accidents.

[0069] The embodiments of this application also provide a protection method for the aforementioned automobile engine hood pop-up protection device, the protection method including:

[0070] The collision and speed sensing component 3 senses whether a collision has occurred at the front of the car and senses the real-time speed of the front of the car. When a collision is sensed, it sends a collision signal and the real-time speed to the controller 4.

[0071] The visual recognition sensor 2 monitors the situation in front of the car in real time, automatically identifies whether the object that collides with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user, and when the object that collides with the front of the car is identified as a vulnerable road user, it determines the category of the identified vulnerable road user and sends the category of the vulnerable road user to the controller 4.

[0072] When the controller 4 receives the collision signal and real-time vehicle speed sent by the collision and vehicle speed sensing component 3 and the category of vulnerable road user sent by the visual recognition sensor 2, it determines whether the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined vehicle speed; when it determines that the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined vehicle speed, it sends a lifting control signal to the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B according to the category of vulnerable road user.

[0073] If the vulnerable road user category is a child, the controller 4 sends a lifting control signal to the first pop-up assembly 13A. After receiving the lifting control signal sent by the controller 4, the first pop-up assembly 13A lifts the rear end of the first plate 15.

[0074] If the vulnerable road user is classified as an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, the controller 4 sends a lifting control signal to the second pop-up assembly 13B; upon receiving the lifting control signal from the controller 4, the rear end of the second plate 16 is lifted.

[0075] If controller 4 only receives the collision signal and real-time vehicle speed, but not the category of vulnerable road users (e.g., the front of the car collides with another vehicle, but it does not fall under the category of a collision with a vulnerable road user), then controller 4 will not determine whether the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, and therefore will not trigger the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B. If it is determined that the real-time vehicle speed has not reached the predetermined speed, controller 4 will not send a lift control signal, that is, it will not trigger the first pop-up component 13A or the second pop-up component 13B.

[0076] As described in the previous embodiment, the first pop-up assembly 13A and the second pop-up assembly 13B have the same structure, both including an airbag module 17 and two pneumatic lifters 18. The airbag module 17 includes a long strip-shaped housing 171 and an igniter, filter, gas generator and airbag disposed inside the housing 171. The two pneumatic lifters 18 are disposed at both ends of the housing 171. The pneumatic lifter 18 includes a cylinder 181 and a piston rod 182. The cylinder 181 is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module 17 through a gas conduit 19.

[0077] In the protection method, when the first pop-up assembly 13A receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module 17 is activated, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter 18 through the gas conduit 19 to drive the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 to extend and lift the rear end of the first plate 15. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to unfold to wrap the rear end of the first plate 15.

[0078] When the second pop-up assembly 13B receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module 17 is activated, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter 18 through the gas conduit 19 to drive the piston rod 182 of the pneumatic lifter 18 to extend and lift the rear end of the second plate 16. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to cover the rear end of the second plate 16.

[0079] The protection method of the aforementioned automobile engine hood pop-up protection device has the same technical effect as the aforementioned automobile engine hood pop-up protection device. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned automobile engine hood pop-up protection device embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An automobile engine hood pop-up protection device, characterized by, The automobile hood pop-up protection device includes an engine hood, a visual recognition sensor, a collision and speed sensing component, and a controller. The engine hood is installed on the engine compartment at the front of the automobile. The visual recognition sensor, the collision and speed sensing component, and the controller are installed on the front of the automobile and are all communicatively connected to the controller. The engine hood includes an inner panel, an outer panel, a first pop-up assembly, and a second pop-up assembly. The outer panel is mounted on the inner panel. The outer panel includes a first plate and a second plate that are arranged front to back and separated from each other. The front end of the first plate is rotatably connected to the front end of the inner panel. The front end of the second plate is located near the rear end of the first plate and is rotatably connected to the inner panel. The first pop-up assembly is installed between the rear ends of the inner panel and the first plate, and the second pop-up assembly is installed between the rear ends of the inner panel and the second plate. The collision and speed sensing component is used to sense whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and to sense the real-time speed of the front of the vehicle. When a collision is detected at the front of the vehicle, a collision signal and the real-time speed are sent to the controller. The visual recognition sensor is used to monitor the situation in front of the car in real time, automatically identify whether the object that collides with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user, and when the object that collides with the front of the car is identified as a vulnerable road user, the sensor determines the category of the identified vulnerable road user and sends the category of the vulnerable road user to the controller. The controller is configured to: receive a collision signal and real-time vehicle speed from the collision and vehicle speed sensing components, and receive the category of vulnerable road users from the visual recognition sensor; upon receiving the collision signal, real-time vehicle speed, and category of vulnerable road users, determine whether the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed; if the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, send a lift control signal to the first pop-up component or the second pop-up component according to the category of the vulnerable road user; if the category of the vulnerable road user is a child, send a lift control signal to the first pop-up component; if the category of the vulnerable road user is an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, send a lift control signal to the second pop-up component. The first pop-up component is communicatively connected to the controller and is used to lift the rear end of the first plate after receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller; The second pop-up component is communicatively connected to the controller and is used to lift the rear end of the second plate after receiving a lifting control signal sent by the controller.

2. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second pop-up assemblies have the same structure, both including an airbag module and two pneumatic lifters. The airbag module includes a long strip-shaped housing and an igniter, filter, gas generator, and airbag disposed within the housing. The two pneumatic lifters are disposed at both ends of the housing. Each pneumatic lifter includes a cylinder and a piston rod. The cylinder is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module through a gas conduit.

3. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the first pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module works, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the first plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap the rear end of the first plate. When the second pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the second plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap around the rear end of the second plate.

4. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 2, wherein The gas conduit is equipped with a one-way valve, which is used to control the gas to flow unidirectionally from the gas generator toward the pneumatic jack.

5. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 2, wherein The cylinder of the pneumatic lifter is equipped with a pressure relief valve, which is used to set the internal air pressure threshold of the pneumatic lifter according to the force threshold of the person's head.

6. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 2, wherein The inner wall of the first plate is provided with two longitudinal sliding grooves corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters of the first pop-up assembly. The outer end of the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter of the first pop-up assembly is connected to a slider, which is hooked in the sliding groove of the first plate.

7. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 2, wherein The inner wall of the second plate is provided with two longitudinal sliding grooves corresponding to the two pneumatic lifters of the second pop-up assembly. The outer end of the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter of the second pop-up assembly is connected to a slider, which is hooked in the sliding groove of the second plate.

8. The automobile engine hood pop-up protection device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The slider is spherical, and the cross-section of the groove is spherical.

9. A method of protecting a vehicle engine hood pop-up protection device as defined in claim 1, characterized by, The protection method includes: The collision and speed sensing component senses whether a collision has occurred at the front of the vehicle and senses the real-time speed of the front of the vehicle. When a collision is detected at the front of the vehicle, it sends a collision signal and the real-time speed to the controller. The visual recognition sensor monitors the situation in front of the car in real time, automatically identifies whether the object that collides with the front of the car is a vulnerable road user, and when the object that collides with the front of the car is identified as a vulnerable road user, it determines the category of the identified vulnerable road user and sends the category of the vulnerable road user to the controller. When the controller receives a collision signal and real-time vehicle speed from the collision and vehicle speed sensing components and the category of vulnerable road users from the visual recognition sensor, it determines whether the real-time vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed. If it determines that the real-time vehicle speed is above the predetermined speed, it sends a lifting control signal to the first or second pop-up component according to the category of the vulnerable road user. If the vulnerable road user is a child, the controller sends a lifting control signal to the first pop-up component, and the first pop-up component lifts the rear end of the first plate after receiving the lifting control signal from the controller. If the vulnerable road user is classified as an adult or a two-wheeled cyclist, the controller sends a lifting control signal to the second pop-up component; upon receiving the lifting control signal from the controller, the rear end of the second plate is lifted.

10. The method of protecting an automobile engine hood from being popped open according to claim 9, wherein, The first and second pop-up assemblies have the same structure, both including an airbag module and two pneumatic lifters. The airbag module includes a long strip-shaped housing and an igniter, filter, gas generator, and airbag disposed within the housing. The two pneumatic lifters are disposed at both ends of the housing. Each pneumatic lifter includes a cylinder and a piston rod. The cylinder is connected to the gas generator of the airbag module through a gas conduit. When the first pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module works, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the first plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap the rear end of the first plate. When the second pop-up assembly receives the lifting control signal, the igniter of the airbag module operates, causing the gas generator to produce gas. Part of the gas produced enters the pneumatic lifter through the gas conduit to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic lifter to extend and lift the rear end of the second plate. The other part of the gas produced fills the airbag, causing the airbag to deploy to wrap around the rear end of the second plate.

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