Hinge device for active hood, hinge control system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a hinge device for an active hood, a hinge control system and a vehicle, the hinge device comprises a first supporting arm, a second supporting arm, a locking mechanism and a lifting mechanism, the first supporting arm is rotatably connected to a vehicle body, and the second supporting arm is fixed to the hood and hinged to the first supporting arm; the locking mechanism is arranged on the second supporting arm, is provided with a movable second structural part and can be clamped with or separated from the first supporting arm; the lifting mechanism comprises a driving part and an executing part, and the driving part can drive the executing part to move between an initial position and an unfolding position in the preset direction; and the first supporting arm or the second supporting arm is provided with an actuating surface, and in the process that the execution part moves from the initial position to the unfolding position, the second structural part can be driven to be disengaged from the first supporting arm, and directly or indirectly makes contact with the actuating surface after being disengaged from the clamping, so that the hood is driven to be lifted to the unfolding position. According to the hinge device, the hood can be lifted to provide pedestrian collision protection, and the hinge device can restore to the original position to achieve the purpose of repeated use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile parts, and in particular to a hinge device for an active hood and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As car ownership continues to rise, traffic accidents are becoming more frequent, leading to a growing emphasis on vehicle safety. While the safety of vehicle occupants is currently somewhat guaranteed, less attention is paid to vulnerable road users outside the vehicle. This aspect is often overlooked during vehicle development due to styling and performance requirements. Research indicates that in pedestrian-vehicle collisions, the primary impact area for pedestrians' heads is the hood structure. However, current vehicle designs, constrained by styling and performance requirements, lack sufficient space between the hood and rigid components within the cabin, preventing adequate cushioning and potentially leading to serious or even fatal head injuries.

[0003] To improve pedestrian protection, a related technology, active hoods, has been developed by modifying the hood hinge mechanism. Under normal conditions, the hinge assembly of this hood, like a conventional hood, allows the hood to pivot and open from the front. However, in the event of a collision, an actuator springs the hood upward from the rear, increasing the cushioning space beneath the hood and protecting pedestrians from collision injuries. However, this related technology's hinge assembly is complex and generally uses gunpowder for actuation. After the hood opens, the hinge fails to automatically return to its original position, making it non-reusable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hinge device for an active hood and a vehicle, which can lift the hood to provide pedestrian collision protection and can return to its original position for the purpose of reuse.

[0005] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a hinge device for an active hood is provided, comprising: a first support arm, one end of the first support arm being rotatably connected to the vehicle body; a second support arm, the second support arm being fixed to the hood and hinged to the other end of the first support arm, and being capable of being expanded and closed relative to the first support arm; a locking mechanism comprising a first structural member, a second structural member and an elastic member, the first structural member being fixed to the first support arm, the second structural member being movably connected to the second support arm, and having a first position and a second position relative to the second support arm, wherein when the second support arm is closed relative to the first support arm, the second structural member located in the first position can be engaged with the first structural member, and disengaged from the first structural member when moving to the second position; the elastic member being fixed to the second support arm and acting on the second structural member, and being configured to move the second structural member toward the first position Reset; and a lifting mechanism, including a driving part and an actuator, the actuator has an initial position, a closed position and an expanded position distributed in sequence from low to high along a preset direction relative to the vehicle body, the driving part is fixed to the vehicle body, and is configured to drive the actuator to move between the initial position and the expanded position along the preset direction; the second structural member is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator, the first support arm or the second support arm is provided with an actuating surface, and the actuating surface is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator or the second structural member; in the process of moving the actuator from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the second structural member to move from the first position to the second position; and when the actuator moves upward to the closed position, it can directly or indirectly contact the actuating surface, and in the process of moving to the expanded position, drive the first support arm and the second support arm to lift upward synchronously, so as to lift the hood from the closed position to the expanded position.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second structural member includes a first rotating arm, a second rotating arm, a first rotating axis and a second rotating axis. The first rotating arm is pivotally supported on the second support arm via the first rotating axis, and has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion pivoted around the first rotating axis. The second rotating arm is pivotally supported on the second support arm via the second rotating axis, and has a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion pivoted around the second rotating axis; the first connecting portion is suitable for contacting with the execution portion; the fourth connecting portion is suitable for contacting with the first structural member; the second connecting portion is movably connected to the third connecting portion, and during the movement of the second structural member between the first position and the second position, the first rotating arm rotates around the first rotating axis along the first rotation direction, and the second rotating arm rotates around the second rotating axis along the second rotation direction, wherein the first rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction of the second rotation direction.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism further includes a stopper fixed to the second support arm; when the second structural member moves from the second position to the first position, the first rotating arm and / or the second rotating arm abuts against the stopper.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first structural member has a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are adjacent and non-coplanar, and the fourth connecting portion has a third contact surface and a fourth contact surface that are adjacent and non-coplanar, wherein when the second structural member is in the first position, the first contact surface can contact the third contact surface to enable the second structural member to be clamped with the first structural member; and during the process of the second support arm moving from the expanded position to the closed position, the second contact surface can contact the fourth contact surface to press the second structural member back to the second position.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the third contact surface is arc-shaped, and the center point of the arc coincides with the axis center of the second rotation axis.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the actuating surface is provided on the second supporting arm; when the second structural member moves from the first position to the second position, the second rotating arm abuts against the actuating surface.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hinge device also includes: a limiting mechanism, the limiting mechanism includes a limiting groove and a limiting member, and the limiting member is slidably connected to the limiting groove; wherein, the limiting groove is provided on the first support arm, and the limiting member is provided on the second support arm; or, the limiting groove is provided on the second support arm, and the limiting member is provided on the first support arm.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hinge device also includes: a connecting rod mechanism, the connecting rod mechanism includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod and a fixing member, and the fixing member is fixed to the vehicle body; one end of the first connecting rod and one end of the second connecting rod are hinged to the first support arm, and the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod are hinged to the fixing member; wherein, the first connecting rod is located in front of the second connecting rod in the direction of vehicle length, and the length of the first connecting rod is greater than the length of the second connecting rod.

[0013] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a hinge control system is provided, comprising: the above-mentioned hinge device; a control unit, the control unit being connected to the driving unit to control the driving unit to drive the execution unit to move between an initial position and a deployed position; and a sensing unit, the sensing unit being connected to the control unit and configured to obtain information about pedestrians in front of the vehicle; the control unit being configured to determine whether the vehicle will collide with a pedestrian based on the vehicle information and the pedestrian information, and controlling the driving unit to drive the execution unit to move from the initial position to the deployed position when it is determined that the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving part is a linear reciprocating motion mechanism, and the control part is configured to determine the degree of collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian based on vehicle information and pedestrian information, and adjust the moving height of the execution part according to the collision degree.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising the above-mentioned hinge device or the above-mentioned hinge control system.

[0016] The present invention connects the hood and the vehicle body through a first support arm and a second support arm, and utilizes a locking mechanism to engage and lock the first support arm and the second support arm, so that the hood can be normally opened and closed relative to the vehicle body; at the same time, by making the unlocking path of the locking mechanism correspond to the movement path of the lifting mechanism, before a collision occurs, the actuator is driven to move from the initial position to the deployed position, and the locking mechanism can be first unlocked to disengage the first support arm and the second support arm, and then the actuator continues to move until it acts on the actuating surface, thereby driving the first support arm and the second support arm to move upward synchronously to lift the hood from the closed position to the deployed position, thereby increasing the buffer space under the hood, thereby protecting pedestrians and reducing collision injuries; after the collision ends, the actuator is driven to move from the deployed position to the initial position, and the hood returns to the closed position from the deployed position along with the actuator due to its own weight. At this time, the actuator disengages the actuating surface and continues to move to the initial position, and the second structural member is reset to the first position by the elastic member to engage and lock the first support arm and the second support arm. At this point, the hinge device is restored to its original position, achieving the purpose of repeated use.

[0017] The above description is only an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, they can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are specifically listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the hinge device and the hood according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the state of the hinge device when the actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention is located at the initial position;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention when the actuator is located in an initial position is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3A magnified schematic diagram of point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the state of the hinge device when the actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position;

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention when the actuator is in a closed position is shown;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the state of the hinge device when the actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the unfolded position;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention when the actuator is in the deployed position is shown;

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of the second support arm according to an embodiment of the present invention when the second support arm is closed relative to the first support arm is shown;

[0028] Figure 10 A schematic structural diagram of the second support arm according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is unfolded relative to the first support arm is shown;

[0029] Figure 11 FIG2 shows a schematic structural diagram of another hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state;

[0030] Figure 12 A connection block diagram of a hinge control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0032] 1-first support arm, 11-first end, 12-second end, 13-rear cover, 14-first side panel, 2-second support arm, 21-third end, 22-fourth end, 23-front cover, 24-second side panel,

[0033] 3-locking mechanism, 31-first structural member, 311-first contact surface, 312-second contact surface, 32-second structural member, 321-first rotating arm, 3211-first connecting portion, 3212-second connecting portion, 322-first rotating axis, 323-second rotating arm, 3231-third connecting portion, 3232-fourth connecting portion, 32321-third contact surface, 32322-fourth contact surface, 324-second rotating axis, 325-fixing bracket, 3251-third side plate, 3252-fourth side plate, 3253-lower cover, 33-elastic member, 34 / 34'-stop member,

[0034] 4-lifting mechanism, 41-driving unit, 42-executing unit,

[0035] 5-limiting mechanism, 51-limiting slot, 52-limiting piece,

[0036] 6-link mechanism, 61-first link, 62-second link, 63-fixed part,

[0037] 7-hood, 8-control unit, 9-sensing unit, α-preset direction, β / β'-actuating surface, x-vehicle length direction, y-vehicle width direction, z-vehicle height direction.

[0038] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0040] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the technical solutions of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. may be adopted. In other cases, known methods, devices, implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid blurring various aspects of the present invention.

[0041] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0042] It should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", "down", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings; the x direction is the vehicle length direction, wherein the direction pointed by the arrow is "front", and vice versa is "rear"; the y direction is the vehicle width direction, wherein the direction pointed by the arrow is "left", and vice versa is "right"; the z direction is the vehicle height direction, wherein the direction pointed by the arrow is "up", and vice versa is "down". The "inside" and "outside" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are defined based on the outline of the corresponding components. It can be understood that the above-mentioned directions or positional relationships are only used to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the invention.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 8As shown, this embodiment provides a hinge device for an active hood, including a first support arm 1, a second support arm 2, a locking mechanism 3 and a lifting mechanism 4. The first support arm 1 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 distributed along the vehicle length direction x, and the first end 11 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body; the second support arm 2 is fixed to the hood 7 and has a third end 21 and a fourth end 22 distributed along the vehicle length direction x, and the third end 21 is hinged to the second end 12 of the first support arm 1, so that the second support arm 2 can rotate around the second end 12 to be expanded and closed relative to the first support arm 1, wherein the second support arm 2 rotates to the side close to the first end 11 until the fourth end 22 overlaps the first end 11, that is, the second support arm 2 is relative to the first support arm The support arm 1 is closed (or the second support arm 2 is in a closed state relative to the first support arm 1), the second support arm 2 rotates upward to the fourth end 22 and separates from the first end 11, that is, the second support arm 2 is unfolded relative to the first support arm 1 (or the second support arm 2 is in an unfolded state relative to the first support arm 1); the locking mechanism 3 includes a first structural member 31, a second structural member 32 and an elastic member 33, the first structural member 31 is fixed to the first support arm 1, the second structural member 32 is movably connected to the second support arm 2, and has a first position and a second position relative to the second support arm 2, the second structural member 32 can at least move between the first position and the second position (including the first position and the second position), wherein the second support arm 2 is relative to the first support arm When the arm 1 is closed, the second structural member 32 located in the first position can be engaged with the first structural member 31 to limit the second support arm 2 from being unfolded relative to the first support arm 1. When the second structural member 32 is moved to the second position, the second structural member 32 can be disengaged from the first structural member 31, so that the second support arm 2 can be unfolded relative to the first support arm 1; the elastic member 33 is fixed to the second support arm 2 and acts on the second structural member 32, and is configured to be suitable for resetting the second structural member 32 to the first position; the lifting mechanism 4 includes a driving part 41 and an executing part 42, and the executing part 42 has an initial position, a closed position and an unfolded position distributed in sequence from low to high along a preset direction α relative to the vehicle body, and the driving part 41 is fixed to the vehicle body and is configured to drive the executing part 42 moves between an initial position and a deployed position (including the initial position and the deployed position) along a preset direction α; the second structural member 32 is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator 42, and the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 is provided with an actuating surface β, and the actuating surface β is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator 42 or the movement path of the second structural member 32; in the process of the actuator 42 moving from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the second structural member 32 to move from the first position to the second position; and when the actuator 42 moves upward to the closed position, it can directly or indirectly contact the actuating surface β, and in the process of moving to the deployed position, drive the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to be lifted upward synchronously, so as to lift the hood 7 from the closed position to the deployed position.In this way, by making the unlocking path of the locking mechanism 3 correspond to the movement path of the lifting mechanism 4, before a collision occurs, the actuator 42 is driven to move from the initial position to the deployed position, and the locking mechanism 3 can be unlocked first, so that the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 are disengaged. Then the actuator 42 continues to move to act on the actuating surface β, thereby driving the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to be lifted upward synchronously. The second support arm 2 is deployed relative to the first support arm 1 and drives the hood 7 to be lifted from the closed position to the deployed position, thereby increasing the buffer space under the hood 7, thereby protecting pedestrians and reducing collision injuries; after the collision is over, the actuator 42 is driven to move from the deployed position to the initial position, and the hood 7 returns to the closed position from the deployed position with the actuator 42 due to its own weight. At this time, the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, and the second structural member 32 is reset to the first position by the elastic member 33 to lock the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2, and the actuator 42 can be disengaged from the actuating surface β and continue to move to the initial position. At this point, the hinge device is restored to its original position, achieving the purpose of repeated use.

[0044] It will be understood that the aforementioned initial position, closed position, and deployed position are primarily used to describe the height position of the actuator 42 relative to the vehicle body. When the actuator 42 is located between the closed position and the deployed position (including both positions), the actuator 42 can directly or indirectly act on the actuating surface β. At this time, the actuator 42, the first support arm 1, the second support arm 2, and the hood 7 are in a linked state, and the changes in their height positions relative to the vehicle body are interrelated. Therefore, the aforementioned closed position and deployed position can be used simultaneously to describe the relative position or relative state of the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2, the relative position or relative state of the hood 7 and the vehicle body, and the height position of the actuator 42 relative to the vehicle body, and these three can be made to correspond to each other for simplified description. This does not mean that the actuator 42, the first support arm 1, the second support arm 2, and the hood 7 are necessarily at the same height relative to the vehicle body in the closed position or deployed position in the vehicle height direction z. For example, when the hood 7 is in the closed position, the hood 7 is closed relative to the vehicle body, the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, and the actuator 42 is located between the initial position and the closed position (including the initial position and the closed position); when the hood 7 is in the deployed position, the hood 7 is deployed relative to the vehicle body, the second support arm 2 is deployed relative to the first support arm 1, and the actuator 42 is located in the deployed position, wherein the deployed position can be understood as the maximum deployment range. When the actuator 42 is between the closed position and the deployed position and higher than the closed position, the hood 7 is also deployed relative to the vehicle body, and the second support arm 2 is also deployed relative to the first support arm 1, but the deployment range is slightly smaller than when it is in the deployed position.

[0045] It can be understood that the hood 7 also has an open position relative to the vehicle body (not shown in the figure). When the hood 7 is in the closed position relative to the vehicle body, it can appropriately cover the cabin. When the hood 7 is in the open position, it can open the cabin. When the hood 7 moves between the closed position and the open position, the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1 and is in a linked state with the hood 7. The height changes of the three relative to the vehicle body are interrelated. Therefore, the above-mentioned open position can be used to express the relative position or relative state of the hood 7 and the vehicle body, and to correspond to the relative position of the first support arm 1 and the vehicle body, the relative position of the second support arm 2 and the vehicle body, and the relative position or relative state of the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2, so as to achieve a simplified description, which will not be repeated here.

[0046] It can also be understood that the rotational connection between the first support arm 1 and the vehicle body can be directly hinged to the vehicle body or connected to the vehicle body through other connecting mechanisms (such as the connecting rod mechanism 6 described later), which can be selected according to the specific design scheme and is not limited here. The second support arm 2 is superimposed on the first support arm 1, and the second support arm 2 and the first support arm 1 can overlap in the vehicle width direction y, that is, the second support arm 2 rotates around the second end 12 toward the side close to the first end 11, so that the fourth end 22 overlaps on any side of the first end 11 in the vehicle width direction y. In this way, the space occupied by the second support arm 2 in the vehicle height direction z when the first support arm 1 is closed can be reduced. The fixed connection between the fourth end 22 and the hood 7 can be directly connected to the vehicle body by bolts, or connected to the vehicle body through an intermediate connecting member such as a connecting plate, etc., which can be selected according to the specific design scheme and is not limited here. The fixed connection between the driving part 41 and the vehicle body can be directly connected to the vehicle body by bolts, or can be connected to the vehicle body by other connection structures (such as the fixing member 63 of the connecting rod mechanism 6 described later). The choice can be made according to the specific design scheme and is not limited here. The contact between the actuator 42 and the actuating surface β can be achieved by arranging the actuating surface β on the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 and being located on the motion path of the second structural member 32, such as Figure 8 As shown, the actuator 42 can indirectly contact the actuating surface β through the second structural member 32 to drive the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to rise synchronously; the actuating surface β can also be arranged on the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 and located on the movement path of the actuator 42, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown, the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 are synchronously lifted upward by direct contact between the execution portion 42 and the actuation surface β'. The specific design solution can be selected and is not limited here.

[0047] For example, if Figures 2 to 10As shown, in this embodiment, the first support arm 1 includes a rear cover plate 13 and a first side plate 14. The rear ends of the rear cover plate 13 and the first side plate 14 constitute the first end 11 of the first support arm 1, and the front end of the first side plate 14 constitutes the second end 12 of the first support arm 1. The first end 11 is hinged to the vehicle body perpendicular to the plate surface of the first side plate 14, so that the first support arm 1 can rotate around the first end 11 in the xz plane. The second support arm 2 includes a front cover plate 23 and a second side plate 24. The front end of the front cover plate 23 and the front end of the second side plate 24 constitute the third end 21 of the second support arm 2, and the rear end of the front cover plate 23 and the rear end of the second side plate 24 constitute the fourth end 22 of the second support arm 2. The front cover plate 23 is fixedly connected to the hood 7 by bolts to achieve the fixation of the second support arm 2 to the hood 7. The third end 21 is hinged to the second end 12 perpendicular to the plate surface of the second side plate 24 and the first side plate 14, so that the second support arm 2 can rotate around the first end 11 in the xz plane. The arm 2 is capable of rotating about the second end 12 in the xz plane. At this point, in the vehicle width direction y, the front cover 23 and the rear cover 13 extend to the left, and the second side plate 24 is located to the right of the first side plate 14. Thus, when the second support arm 2 is rotated to overlap with the first support arm 1, the first and second side plates 14 and 24 can partially overlap in the vehicle width direction y, and the front cover 23 and the rear cover 13 can overlap in the vehicle length direction x, effectively reducing the space occupied by the first and second support arms 1 and 2 in the vehicle height direction z. Simultaneously, the front cover 23 and the first side plate 14 can limit each other in the vehicle height direction z, restricting the second support arm 2 from further downward rotation about the second end 12. Thus, when the second structural member 32 of the locking mechanism 3 is engaged with the first structural member 31, the second support arm 2 can be restricted from expanding relative to the first support arm 1 by simply restricting its upward rotation about the second end 12. In this regard, in this embodiment, the first structural member 31 is fixed to the first support arm 1, and the second structural member 32 is movably connected to the second support arm 2, with one end point of the movement path of the second structural member 32 as the first position, and the other end point of the movement path of the second structural member 32 or a position close to the other end point as the second position. When the second structural member 32 moves relative to the second support arm 2, it can at least move between the first position and the second position, and the elastic member 33 is fixed to the second support arm 2 and acts on the second structural member 32, and is configured to be suitable for resetting the second structural member 32 to the first position; in this way, when the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, the second structural member 32 located in the first position is directly below the first structural member 31, and can abut against the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z; and when the second structural member 32 moves to the second position, it is located on the side away from the first structural member 31 in the vehicle length direction x, and can be misaligned with the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z.Under normal circumstances, the second structural member 32 is maintained in the first position based on the elastic force of the elastic member 33. When the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, the second structural member 32 located in the first position can be engaged with the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z, and maintain a stable engagement under the action of the elastic member 33, thereby limiting the second support arm 2 from being deployed relative to the first support arm 1. At this time, the hood 7 can be rotated around the first end 11 by raising or lowering the front end of the hood 7 to open or close the hood 7 relative to the vehicle body; when the second structural member 32 is moved to the second position, the second structural member 32 is disengaged from the first structural member 31. At this time, the second support arm 2 can be deployed relative to the first support arm 1. In this way, when the hood 7 is closed relative to the vehicle body, an upward force is provided to the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2, so that the first support arm 1, the second support arm 2 and the hood 7 can be lifted upward synchronously. In this embodiment, the driving portion 41 of the lifting mechanism 4 can adopt a linear reciprocating motion mechanism, preferably a telescopic cavity type, such as an electric push rod, etc. The external action end of the driving portion 41 is the actuator 42 of the lifting mechanism 4, and the driving portion 41 is arranged vertically below the second structural member 32. The preset direction α is the vehicle height direction z. The actuator 42 has an initial position, a closed position and an expanded position distributed from low to high along the vehicle height direction z relative to the vehicle body. Under the drive of the driving portion 41, the actuator 42 can move between the initial position and the expanded position along the vehicle height direction z; when the hood 7 is closed relative to the vehicle body, the second structural member 32 is located above the actuator 42, and there is a part of the structure located between the initial position and the closed position. In this way, the actuator 42 can contact and drive the second structural member 32 in the process of moving from the initial position to the closed position. Move, so that the movement path of the second structural member 32 from the first position to the second position corresponds to the movement path of the actuator 42 from the initial position to the closed position, which can drive the second structural member 32 to move from the first position to the second position, so that the second structural member 32 is disengaged from the first structural member 31; at the same time, the actuating surface β is provided on the second support arm 2 and corresponds to the second position of the movement path of the second structural member 32. When the actuator 42 moves upward to the closed position, the second structural member 32 moves to the second position and contacts the actuating surface β. The actuator 42 indirectly contacts the actuating surface β through the second structural member 32, and in the process of continuing to move to the deployed position, drives the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to be lifted upward synchronously. At this time, the second support arm 2 is deployed relative to the first support arm 1 to lift the hood 7 from the closed position to the deployed position.

[0048] In other embodiments, the actuating surface β may also be provided on the first support arm 1 and corresponding to the second position of the movement path of the second structural member 32. When the actuator 42 moves upward to the closed position, the second structural member 32 moves to the second position and contacts the actuating surface β. The actuator 42 indirectly contacts the actuating surface β via the second structural member 32, and in the process of continuing to move toward the expanded position, drives the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to rise synchronously.

[0049] In addition, the actuating surface β can also be provided on the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2, and correspondingly located above the execution part 42, and there is a partial structure located in the closed position. When the execution part 42 moves upward to the closed position, it can directly contact the actuating surface β, and in the process of continuing to move to the expanded position, drive the first support arm 1 and the second support arm 2 to rise synchronously.

[0050] It is understood that when the hood 7 is lifted from the closed position to the deployed position, the movement distance of the first support arm 1 in the vehicle height direction z is less than the movement distance of the second support arm 2 in the vehicle height direction z. Therefore, when the actuating surface β is provided on the first support arm 1, the movement stroke of the actuator 42 when performing the lifting action, i.e., the lifting stroke, can be shortened accordingly, thereby reducing the size of the drive unit 41 and the space occupied by the lifting mechanism 4. At the same time, it can also avoid the continuous action of the actuator 42 on the second structural member 32, reducing the probability of fatigue damage. When the actuating surface β is provided on the second support arm 2, the second support arm 2 can be deployed more effortlessly, and a less powerful drive device can be used to lift the hood 7 to the deployed position, which has a wider range of applications. Therefore, whether the actuating surface β is provided on the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 can be selected according to specific needs and is not limited here.

[0051] In some embodiments, as Figures 2 to 8As shown, the second structural member 32 includes a first rotating arm 321, a second rotating arm 323, a first rotating shaft 322 and a second rotating shaft 324. The first rotating arm 321 is pivotally supported on the second support arm 2 via the first rotating shaft 322 and has a first connecting portion 3211 and a second connecting portion 3212 pivoted around the first rotating shaft 322. The second rotating arm 323 is pivotally supported on the second support arm 2 via the second rotating shaft 324 and has a third connecting portion 3231 and a fourth connecting portion pivoted around the second rotating shaft 324. 3232; the first connecting portion 3211 is suitable for contacting the execution portion 42; the fourth connecting portion 3232 is suitable for contacting the first structural member 31; the second connecting portion 3212 is movably connected to the third connecting portion 3231, and during the movement of the second structural member 32 between the first position and the second position, the first rotating arm 321 rotates around the first rotating axis 322 along the first rotation direction, and the second rotating arm 323 rotates around the second rotating axis 324 along the second rotation direction, wherein the first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction. Through the above arrangement, the linear motion of the actuator 42 can be converted into the pivotal motion of the second structural member 32, so that the vertical displacement of the actuator 42 can be converted into the horizontal displacement of the fourth connecting portion 3232. Since the movement mode of the second support arm 2 relative to the first support arm 1 is to rotate upward around the second end portion 12, when the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, the fourth connecting portion 3232 located in the first position can extend outward with the end facing upward and abut against the bottom of the first structural member 31 by utilizing the secondary pivoting of the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323, thereby limiting the upward rotation of the second support arm 2 relative to the first support arm 1, thereby effectively realizing the second structural member 32 and the first structural member 31. When the actuator 42 moves from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the first connection part 3211 to rotate upward around the first rotation axis 322, thereby driving the second connection part 3212 to pivot downward around the first rotation axis 322. At the same time, the second connection part 3212 drives the third connection part 3231 to rotate downward around the second rotation axis 324, thereby driving the fourth connection part 3232 to pivot upward around the second rotation axis 324, so as to retract the fourth connection part 3232 inward relative to the second support arm 2, and when moving to the second position, it is misaligned with the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z, thereby eliminating the rotational interference with the first structural member 31, and realizing the disengagement of the second structural member 32 from the first structural member 31.

[0052] It is understood that the second connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 can be movably connected by placing the second connecting portion 3212 above the third connecting portion 3231, so that the second connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 interfere with each other in the vehicle height direction z and move relative to each other; or the second connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 can be slidably hinged to each other, which can also achieve relative movement between the second connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 and prevent disengagement. Furthermore, the length of the first connecting portion 3211 is greater than the length of the second connecting portion 3212, that is, the distance from the contact point where the actuator 42 acts on the first connecting portion 3211 to the axis of the first rotating shaft 322 is greater than the distance from the movably connected point between the second connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 to the axis of the first rotating shaft 322. In this way, the first rotating arm 321 can act as a force-saving lever to drive the second rotating arm 323 to pivot.

[0053] For example, if Figures 2 to 10As shown, in this embodiment, a downwardly extending fixing bracket 325 is connected to the rear end of the front cover 23, and the fixing bracket 325 includes a third side plate 3251, a fourth side plate 3252 and a lower cover plate 3253. The third side plate 3251 and the fourth side plate 3252 are parallel to the second side plate 24 and connected to the bottom of the front cover 23. The lower cover plate 3253 is parallel to the front cover 23 and connected between the third side plate 3251 and the fourth side plate 3252, and is located on the side away from the front cover 23. The plate perpendicular to the third side plate 3251 is connected to the lower cover plate 3253. The first rotation axis 322 is sequentially provided on the third side plate 3251, the first rotation arm 321 and the fourth side plate 3252, so that the first rotation arm 321 can pivot around the first rotation axis 322 in the xz plane; on the side of the first rotation axis 322 relatively close to the rear cover 13, the second rotation axis 324 is sequentially provided on the third side plate 3251, the second rotation arm 323 and the fourth side plate 3252 perpendicular to the plate surface of the third side plate 3251, so that the second rotation arm 323 can pivot around the second rotation axis 324 in the xz plane. The first connection portion 3211 and the second connection portion 3212 of the first rotating arm 321 are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the first rotating shaft 322 in an inverted V shape, and the third connection portion 3231 and the fourth connection portion 3232 of the second rotating arm 323 are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the second rotating shaft 324 in a V shape, wherein the first connection portion 3211 is suitable for contacting the execution portion 42, the fourth connection portion 3232 is suitable for contacting the first structural member 31, and the second connection portion 3212 is arranged above the third connection portion 3231, so that the second The connecting portion 3212 and the third connecting portion 3231 interfere with each other in the vehicle height direction z and move relative to each other; thus, when the second structural member 32 moves from the first position to the second position, the first rotating arm 321 pivots clockwise around the first rotating axis 322, driving the second rotating arm 323 to pivot counterclockwise around the second rotating axis 324; when the second structural member 32 moves from the second position to the first position, the second rotating arm 323 pivots clockwise around the second rotating axis 324, driving the first rotating arm 321 to pivot counterclockwise around the first rotating axis 322. When the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, the front cover 23 and the rear cover 13 overlap in the vehicle length direction x. Therefore, the rear cover 13 can be used as the first structural member 31, and the elastic member 33 can be a torsion spring arranged around the second rotating shaft 324, which acts on the second rotating arm 323 and makes the second rotating arm 323 maintain the tendency to pivot clockwise around the second rotating shaft 324, so as to be suitable for resetting the second structural member 32 to the first position. In this way, the fourth connecting portion 3232 maintains the tendency to pivot clockwise around the second rotating shaft 324 under the action of the elastic member 33, and extends the fixed bracket 325 outward (close to the side of the rear cover 13) relative to the second support arm 2 until it is located below the rear cover 13, that is, the second structural member 32 is in the first position, and the fourth connecting portion 3232 can abut against the upper rear cover 13, that is, the first structural member 31, to limit the second support arm 2 from rotating upward relative to the first support arm 1.When the actuator 42 moves from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the first connection part 3211 to rotate upward around the first rotation axis 322, thereby driving the second connection part 3212 to pivot clockwise around the first rotation axis 322. At the same time, the second connection part 3212 drives the third connection part 3231 to rotate downward around the second rotation axis 324, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member 33 and driving the fourth connection part 3232 to pivot counterclockwise around the second rotation axis 324, so that the fourth connection part 3232 is retracted inward (away from the side of the rear cover 13) relative to the second support arm 2 to the fixed bracket 325, that is, the second structural member 32 is in the second position, and the fourth connection part 3232 can be dislocated with the rear cover 13, that is, the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z, thereby eliminating the rotation interference with the first structural member 31, and realizing the disengagement of the second structural member 32 from the first structural member 31.

[0054] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the locking mechanism 3 further includes a stopper 34 fixed to the second support arm 2. When the second structural member 32 moves from the second position to the first position, the first rotating arm 321 and / or the second rotating arm 323 abut against the stopper 34. The stopper 34 can determine the orientation of the first position, limit the movement range of the second structural member 32 to the first position, and control the extent to which the fourth connecting portion 3232 extends outward relative to the fixed bracket 325.

[0055] It can be understood that the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323 of the second structural member 32 are in a linked state. Therefore, the stop member 34 abuts against at least one of the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323 to achieve the stopping and limiting of the second structural member 32. Therefore, the setting orientation and setting quantity of the stop member 34 can be selected according to the specific design scheme and are not limited here.

[0056] For example, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, there are two stop members 34 / 34', one of which is located on the side of the fixed bracket 325 away from the first structural member 31. When the second structural member 32 moves to the first position, it is suitable for abutting against the first rotating arm 321 to limit the first rotating arm 321 from continuing to pivot counterclockwise, thereby achieving a stop limit; the other stop member 34' is located on the side of the fixed bracket 325 close to the first structural member 31. When the second structural member 32 moves to the first position, it is suitable for abutting against the second rotating arm 323 to limit the second rotating arm 323 from continuing to pivot clockwise, thereby achieving a stop limit; at the same time, when the second structural member 32 is engaged with the first structural member 31, the two stop members 34 / 34' can share the load of the first structural member 31 on the fourth connecting portion 3232, thereby improving the service life of the locking mechanism 3.

[0057] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the first structural member 31 has a first contact surface 311 and a second contact surface 312 that are adjacent and not coplanar, and the fourth connecting portion 3232 has a third contact surface 32321 and a fourth contact surface 32322 that are adjacent and not coplanar. When the second structural member 32 is in the first position, the fourth connecting portion 3232 extends outward relative to the fixing bracket 325 and is located with the end facing upward below the rear cover 13, i.e., the first structural member 31. The first contact surface 311 can contact the third contact surface 32321, so that the second structural member 32 is engaged with the first structural member 31, limiting the second support arm 2 from being relative to the first support arm 1. When the hood 7 moves from the extended position to the closed position, the second support arm 2 switches from the extended state to the closed state relative to the first support arm 1. At this time, the second contact surface 312 can contact the fourth contact surface 32322, driving the fourth connection portion 3232 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 33 and pivot counterclockwise about the second rotation axis 324, causing it to retract inwardly relative to the second support arm 2 into the fixed bracket 325. When the hood 7 moves to the closed position, the second support arm 2 closes relative to the first support arm 1. At this time, the second structural member 32 is also pressed back to the second position by the first structural member 31. When the actuating surface β is provided on the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 and corresponds to the motion path of the actuator 42, the actuator 42 may lose contact with the first connection portion 3211 during movement. In this case, the above arrangement can also retract the second structural member 32 to the second position, allowing the second support arm 2 to switch from the extended state to the closed state relative to the first support arm 1, ensuring that the hinge device can be restored to its original position and reused.

[0058] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the third contact surface 32321 is arc-shaped, and the center point of the arc coincides with the axis of the second rotation axis 324. In this way, the distance between any point on the third contact surface 32321 and the axis of the second rotation axis 324 is equal. Not only can it ensure that the movement of the fourth connection part 3232 extending or retracting relative to the fixed bracket 325 is not interfered with when the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, but it can also ensure that the limiting distance and force direction of the fourth connection part 3232 and the first structural member 31 remain unchanged before the fourth connection part 3232 extends outward relative to the fixed bracket 325 and reaches the first position, so that the card force receiving path of the second structural member 32 and the first structural member 31 is continuous and stable.

[0059] In some embodiments, as Figures 2 to 8As shown, the actuating surface β is provided on the second support arm 2. When the second structural member 32 moves from the first position to the second position, the second rotating arm 323 abuts the actuating surface β. This allows the actuator 42 to indirectly contact the actuating surface β via the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323, and as it continues to move toward the deployed position, it drives the second support arm 2 to deploy relative to the first support arm 1. Through this arrangement, the upward force provided by the driving unit 41 can be transmitted to the second support arm 2 via the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323. The relative movement of the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323 transforms the rigid direct contact between the lifting mechanism 4 and the first support arm 1 or the second support arm 2 into flexible indirect contact, further mitigating collision damage to pedestrians. Furthermore, the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323 can be made of a material that is easy to collapse and deform. When a collision occurs, the collision energy can be absorbed through the deformation and destruction of the second structural member 32, and only the second structural member 32 needs to be replaced; and when the hinge device is mistakenly triggered without a collision, the hinge device can also be reset and reused.

[0060] For example, if Figure 3 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the upper end surface of the lower cover plate 3253 of the fixed bracket 325 is used as the actuating surface β; when the execution part 42 moves from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the first connection part 3211 to rotate upward around the first rotation axis 322, thereby driving the second connection part 3212 to pivot clockwise around the first rotation axis 322. At the same time, the second connection part 3212 drives the third connection part 3231 to rotate downward around the second rotation axis 324, thereby driving the fourth connection part 3232 to pivot counterclockwise around the second rotation axis 324 until the fourth connection part 3232 is relative to the second rotation axis 324. The support arm 2 is retracted inward into the fixed bracket 325. At this time, the second structural member 32 is in the second position. The fourth connecting portion 3232 can be offset from the rear cover 13, that is, the first structural member 31 in the vehicle height direction z, thereby eliminating the rotational interference with the first structural member 31, and the third connecting portion 3231 also abuts against the upper end surface of the lower cover 3253, that is, the actuating surface β. When the executive portion 42 continues to move toward the deployed position, it can indirectly contact the actuating surface β through the first rotating arm 321 and the second rotating arm 323, thereby driving the second support arm 2 to deploy relative to the first support arm 1.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figure 11As shown, two actuating surfaces β can also be provided, wherein one actuating surface β is provided on the second support arm 2 and corresponds to the second position of the movement path of the second structural member 32. For example, the upper end surface of the lower cover plate 3253 of the fixed bracket 325 is used as the actuating surface β provided on the second support arm 2; the other actuating surface β' is provided on the first support arm 1 and corresponds to the upper part of the actuator 42. When the hood 7 is closed relative to the vehicle body, the height of the actuating surface β' provided on the first support arm 1 in the vehicle height direction z is higher than the closed position and lower than the deployed position. In this way, the actuator 42 moves upward from the initial position to the closed position. When the second structural member 32 moves to the second position and contacts the actuating surface β provided on the second support arm 2, the actuator 42 indirectly contacts the actuating surface β provided on the second support arm 2 through the second structural member 32, and in the process of continuing to move toward the deployed position, provides an upward force to the second support arm 2, causing the second support arm 2 to be deployed relative to the first support arm 1; when the actuator 42 moves upward to directly contact the actuating surface β' provided on the first support arm 1, it switches to providing an upward force to the first support arm 1, driving the first support arm 1, the second support arm 2 and the hood 7 to be synchronously lifted upward to the deployed position. Through the above arrangement, the lifting mechanism 4 first provides a force to the second support arm 2, which can more easily expand the second support arm 2 to a certain height, and then provides a force to the first support arm 1 to lift the hood 7 to the deployed position, thereby achieving the purpose of shortening the lifting stroke of the actuator 42 and reducing the space occupied by the lifting mechanism 4.

[0062] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the hinge device also includes a limiting mechanism 5, which includes a limiting groove 51 and a limiting member 52, and the limiting member 52 is slidably connected to the limiting groove 51; wherein, the limiting groove 51 is provided on the first support arm 1, and the limiting member 52 is correspondingly provided on the second support arm 2; or, the limiting groove 51 is provided on the second support arm 2, and the limiting member 51 is correspondingly provided on the first support arm 1; when the second support arm 2 is in the closed position, the limiting member 52 is located at one end of the limiting groove 51; when the second support arm 2 is in the expanded position, the limiting member 52 is located at the other end of the limiting groove 51. By setting the limiting mechanism 5, the rotation range of the second support arm 2 relative to the first support arm 1 can be limited. On the one hand, the expansion range of the second support arm 2 relative to the first support arm 1 can be limited to determine the height of the expansion position; on the other hand, when the second support arm 2 is closed relative to the first support arm 1, the second support arm 2 can be limited to continue to rotate downward relative to the first support arm 1. In this way, when the second structural member 32 of the locking mechanism 3 is engaged with the first structural member 31, it is only necessary to limit the second support arm 2 from rotating upward relative to the first support arm 1 to lock the second support arm 2 in the closed state.

[0063] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the hinge device also includes a linkage mechanism 6, which includes a first linkage 61, a second linkage 62, and a fixing member 63. One end of the first linkage 61 and one end of the second linkage 62 are hinged to the first support arm 1, specifically, hinged to the first end portion 11 of the first support arm 1 perpendicular to the surface of the first side panel 14. The other ends of the first linkage 61 and the second linkage 62 are hinged to the fixing member 63 and fixedly connected to the vehicle body via the fixing member 63. The first linkage 61 is located forward of the second linkage 62 in the vehicle length direction x, and the length of the first linkage 61 is greater than that of the second linkage 62. The configuration of the linkage mechanism 6 not only enables the rotational connection between the first support arm 1 and the vehicle body, but also further increases the deployment height of the hood 7, thereby improving the collision protection capability for pedestrians.

[0064] In addition, if Figure 1 and Figure 12 As shown, in another embodiment, a hinge control system is provided, which includes the hinge device in the above embodiment, a control unit 8, and a sensing unit 9, wherein the control unit 8 is connected to the driving unit 41 to control the driving unit 41 to drive the execution unit 42 to move between the initial position and the deployed position; the sensing unit 9 is connected to the control unit 8 and is configured to obtain information about pedestrians in front of the vehicle; the control unit 8 is configured to determine whether the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian based on the vehicle information and the pedestrian information, and when it is determined that the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian, it controls the driving unit 41 to drive the execution unit 42 to move from the initial position to the deployed position. Through the configuration of the above hinge control system, the hood 7 can be lifted to the deployed position before a collision occurs, ensuring that the hinge device can respond quickly and achieve the effect of protecting pedestrians.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 8 can be an automobile ECU (electronic control unit) or a lower controller connected to the ECU. The ECU can be configured to determine whether the vehicle and the pedestrian will collide based on vehicle information (such as vehicle speed, etc.) and pedestrian information received from the sensing unit 9. The judgment basis can be set by setting a preset value as a preset probability. The control unit 8 calculates the collision probability based on the pedestrian information received from the sensing unit 9. When the calculated collision probability is greater than the preset probability, it is determined that the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian. At this time, the control unit 8 can issue a control instruction to the drive unit 41 to control the drive unit 41 to drive the execution unit 42 to move from the initial position to the deployed position.

[0066] The perception unit 9 may include one or more imaging devices (such as cameras, cameras, etc.) and radar devices (such as pulse radars, laser radars, etc.). The imaging device is integrated with an image acquisition module and an image processing module, which can sense the image of the object or object captured by the lens, and process the captured image, and output a visual perception signal as pedestrian information to be sent to the control unit 8; the radar device is integrated with a radar acquisition module and a radar processing module, which can sense the object or object in front by emitting laser or pulse carrier, and process the sensed data, and output a radar perception signal as pedestrian information to be sent to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 calculates the collision probability based on the pedestrian information and vehicle information received from the perception unit 9, and when the calculated collision probability is greater than the preset probability, it is judged that the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian.

[0067] It is understandable that after the hinge device is triggered, if no pedestrian is collided with or the vehicle is not damaged after the collision, the controller is configured to control the drive unit 41 to drive the execution unit 42 to move from the deployed position to the initial position, so that the hood 7 and the hinge device are restored to their original position and can be reused.

[0068] In some embodiments, the drive unit 41 can be an electrically driven linear reciprocating mechanism, such as an electric push rod, to enable the hood 7 to hover at any height between the closed and deployed positions. The control unit 8 is configured to determine the degree of collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian based on pedestrian information and adjust the height of the actuator 42 accordingly. This arrangement further optimizes the height of the hood 7, ensuring an appropriate distance below the hood 7 and maximizing the safety of pedestrians outside the vehicle.

[0069] Specifically, the degree of collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian can be calculated based on the vehicle information and the pedestrian information received from the sensing unit 9, wherein the vehicle information includes at least the vehicle speed and / or the vehicle type, and the pedestrian information includes at least the height and / or the size of the pedestrian. Based on the above vehicle information and pedestrian information, the approximate position where the pedestrian impacts the hood 7 when the collision occurs can also be obtained. According to the above information, three collision degree levels can be preset in the control unit 8, such as the first level (low collision degree), the second level (medium collision degree) and the third level (high collision degree). The control unit 8 can control the driving unit 41 to adjust the moving height of the execution unit 42 according to the collision degree. For example, For example, assuming the distance from the initial position to the closed position is 20 mm, and the distance from the initial position to the deployed position is 100 mm, when the collision severity is level 1, the control actuator 42 moves 40 mm from the initial position to the deployed position, raising the hood 7 to a certain height relative to the vehicle body. When the collision severity is level 2, the control actuator 42 moves upward 70 mm from the initial position, raising the hood 7 relative to the vehicle body to a height higher than the height at level 1. When the collision severity is level 3, the control actuator 42 moves upward 100 mm from the initial position, at which point the hood 7 is in the deployed position relative to the vehicle body, a height higher than the height at level 2. It is understood that the collision severity levels can be further optimized to further refine the lifting height of the hood 7, thereby achieving a more appropriate spatial distance below the hood 7.

[0070] In another embodiment, a vehicle is provided, including the hinge device or hinge control system of the above embodiment. For other structures and operating principles of the hinge device or hinge control system, please refer to the above description of the embodiment of the hinge device or hinge control system. Since the hinge device or hinge control system has the above technical effects, a vehicle including the hinge device or hinge control system should also have the corresponding technical effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0071] It should be understood that, in the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "assembly" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0072] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, features specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. "Multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined. And the terms "some embodiments" and "exemplarily" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention.

[0073] The illustrative descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and integrate different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are mutually inconsistent.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. A person skilled in the art may modify, replace and vary the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any changes or modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention should fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge device for an active hood, characterized in that: include: a first support arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to the vehicle body; a second support arm, the second support arm being fixed to the hood and hinged to the other end of the first support arm and capable of being expanded and closed relative to the first support arm; A locking mechanism comprising a first structural member, a second structural member and an elastic member, wherein the first structural member is fixed to the first support arm, the second structural member is movably connected to the second support arm and has a first position and a second position relative to the second support arm, wherein when the second support arm is closed relative to the first support arm, the second structural member in the first position can be engaged with the first structural member and disengaged from the first structural member when moved to the second position; the elastic member is fixed to the second support arm and acts on the second structural member, and is configured to reset the second structural member to the first position; and The lifting mechanism includes a driving portion and an actuator, wherein the actuator has an initial position, a closed position, and an extended position that are sequentially distributed from low to high along a preset direction relative to the vehicle body, and the driving portion is fixed to the vehicle body and configured to drive the actuator to move along the preset direction between the initial position and the extended position; The second structural member is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator, and the first support arm or the second support arm is provided with an actuating surface, and the actuating surface is at least partially located in the movement path of the actuator or the second structural member; in the process of the actuator moving from the initial position to the closed position, it can contact and drive the second structural member to move from the first position to the second position; and when the actuator moves upward to the closed position, it can directly or indirectly contact the actuating surface, and in the process of moving to the deployed position, drive the first support arm and the second support arm to be lifted upward synchronously to lift the hood from the closed position to the deployed position.

2. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second structural member includes a first rotating arm, a second rotating arm, a first rotating axis and a second rotating axis. The first rotating arm is pivotally supported on the second support arm via the first rotating axis, and has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion pivoted around the first rotating axis. The second rotating arm is pivotally supported on the second support arm via the second rotating axis, and has a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion pivoted around the second rotating axis; the first connecting portion is suitable for contacting the actuator; the fourth connecting portion is suitable for contacting the first structural member; the second connecting portion is movably connected to the third connecting portion, and during the movement of the second structural member between the first position and the second position, the first rotating arm rotates around the first rotating axis along a first rotation direction, and the second rotating arm rotates around the second rotating axis along a second rotation direction, wherein the first rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction of the second rotation direction.

3. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking mechanism further includes a stopper fixed to the second support arm; when the second structural member moves from the second position to the first position, the first rotating arm and / or the second rotating arm abuts against the stopper.

4. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first structural member has a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are adjacent and not coplanar, and the fourth connecting portion has a third contact surface and a fourth contact surface that are adjacent and not coplanar, wherein: When the second structural member is located at the first position, the first contact surface can contact the third contact surface, so that the second structural member is engaged with the first structural member; During the movement of the second support arm from the extended position to the closed position, the second contact surface can contact the fourth contact surface to press the second structure back to the second position.

5. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 4, characterized in that: The third contact surface is arc-shaped, and a center point of the arc coincides with an axis center of the second rotation axis.

6. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: The actuating surface is provided on the second supporting arm; when the second structural member moves from the first position to the second position, the second rotating arm abuts against the actuating surface.

7. The hinge device for an active hood according to claim 1, wherein: The hinge device further comprises: A limiting mechanism, wherein the limiting mechanism includes a limiting groove and a limiting member, and the limiting member is slidably connected to the limiting groove; wherein, the limiting groove is provided on the first support arm, and the limiting member is provided on the second support arm; or, the limiting groove is provided on the second support arm, and the limiting member is provided on the first support arm.

8. The hinge device for an active hood according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The hinge device further comprises: A connecting rod mechanism, the connecting rod mechanism includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod and a fixing member, the fixing member is fixed to the vehicle body; one end of the first connecting rod and one end of the second connecting rod are hinged to the first support arm, and the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod are hinged to the fixing member; wherein, the first connecting rod is located in front of the second connecting rod in the vehicle length direction, and the length of the first connecting rod is greater than the length of the second connecting rod.

9. A hinge control system, characterized in that: include: The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a control unit connected to the driving unit to control the driving unit to drive the execution unit to move between an initial position and a deployed position; and a sensing unit connected to the control unit and configured to acquire information about pedestrians in front of the vehicle; The control unit is configured to determine whether the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian based on the vehicle information and the pedestrian information, and control the drive unit to drive the actuator to move from the initial position to the deployed position when it is determined that the vehicle will collide with the pedestrian.

10. The hinge control system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The driving unit is a linear reciprocating motion mechanism, and the control unit is configured to determine the degree of collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian based on the vehicle information and the pedestrian information, and adjust the moving height of the actuator according to the collision degree.

11. A vehicle, characterized in that: It comprises the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the hinge control system according to any one of claims 9 to 10.

Images