Engine hood and vehicle

The two-piece engine hood design, consisting of the hood body and the hood trim, solves the problems of high maintenance costs and monotonous appearance in existing engine hood technologies, achieving the effects of reducing maintenance probability and improving design flexibility.

CN121626282APending Publication Date: 2026-03-10斯特兰蒂斯汽车集团
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-04
Publication Date
2026-03-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing car engine hoods require full-panel repair in the event of a collision, resulting in high repair costs and long repair times. Furthermore, their appearance design is limited and fails to meet individual needs.

Method used

The engine hood features a two-piece design, consisting of a hood body and a hood trim panel. The hood trim panel is fixed to the hood body via a mounting base and optimizes airflow and protection through a sealing lip structure. The exterior surface can be flexibly designed with graphics or text.

Benefits of technology

It reduces the probability of needing to repair the entire engine hood panel, thereby reducing repair costs and time, while also meeting the aesthetic requirements of different design styles.

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Abstract

The invention relates to an engine hood and a vehicle, the engine hood comprises a hood body, and a mounting base is formed at one end of the hood body; the engine cover comprises an engine cover body and an engine cover decoration plate, at least part of the engine cover decoration plate is arranged on the installation base in an overlapped mode and fixed to the installation base, and the appearance face of the engine cover body and the appearance face of the engine cover decoration plate form an integrated streamline face. According to the engine hood, through the two-piece design, the probability of whole plate maintenance of the engine hood can be reduced, meanwhile, the modeling of the engine hood can be more flexible, and the requirements of different design styles of vehicles are met.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of vehicle parts, and more specifically to an engine hood and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The car hood is an important component of the vehicle's body structure. It serves to guide airflow, protect components in the front compartment from impacts and corrosion, and also contributes to aesthetics. Hoods are generally made of metal, with a streamlined outer panel to reduce wind resistance and for decorative purposes, and an inner frame to enhance rigidity. In the event of a collision, the entire hood often needs to be repaired, resulting in high repair costs and extended repair times.

[0003] At the same time, as people pursue better vehicle appearance, they also have a greater demand for more aesthetically pleasing engine hood designs, and even for customization and personalization. However, existing engine hoods are limited by metal materials, resulting in a relatively monotonous appearance that is difficult to meet the needs of different design styles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an engine hood with a two-piece design, which can reduce the probability of repairing the entire engine hood panel, and at the same time make the shape of the engine hood more flexible to meet the needs of different vehicle design styles.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides an engine hood, comprising: a hood body, one end of which forms a mounting base; and a hood trim panel, the hood trim panel being at least partially stacked on the mounting base and fixed to the mounting base, wherein the outer surface of the hood body and the outer surface of the hood trim panel form a streamlined surface with coordinated styling.

[0006] Based on the above-described technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] In some alternative forms, the hood trim includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a middle layer connected together, the outer layer forming the outer surface of the hood trim, and the inner layer being connected to the mounting base.

[0008] In some alternative forms, the intermediate layer includes a first sealing lip and a second sealing lip extending from between the outer layer and the inner layer at two opposite ends of the hood trim panel, wherein the first sealing lip is configured to cover the hood body and the second sealing lip is configured to abut against the hood body.

[0009] In some alternative forms, the intermediate layer is made of rubber, and / or the outer layer is made of plastic, and / or the inner layer is made of plastic.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the intermediate layer is connected to the inner layer by being molded onto the inner layer.

[0011] In some alternative configurations, the outer layer and the inner layer are joined by piercing welds.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the first sealing lip includes a first section that conforms to the inner layer and a second section that bends out from the first section away from the outer layer to cover the body of the housing.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the first sealing lip further includes a protrusion extending from the junction of the first segment and the second segment toward the outer layer and abutting against the outer layer.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the hood trim is fixed to the hood body by snap-fit ​​and / or bolt connection.

[0015] A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle including an engine hood according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the engine hood according to the present invention has several beneficial technical effects, especially: by using a two-piece design, the engine hood is divided into a hood body and a hood trim panel set at one end of the hood body (usually referring to the front end of the hood body), which reduces the probability of the entire engine hood needing repair in the event of a collision; at the same time, unique graphic or text designs can be made on the hood trim panel, making the shape of the engine hood more flexible and meeting the needs of vehicle design style. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an engine hood provided for one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the engine hood.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the engine cover being applied to the front of a vehicle.

[0021] Figure 4 An exploded view of a hood trim panel provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 For along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken from section AA.

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0024] Figure 7 For along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken from section BB.

[0025] The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale. It should be understood that these drawings are not only for explaining and illustrating the invention, but also, where necessary, for defining the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. The drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity and convenience, the relative dimensions and proportions of the components shown in the drawings have been enlarged or reduced; any dimensions are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0027] The directional and positional terms used in this invention can be referred to as follows: Figures 1 to 7 The exemplary structure shown is explained below. The directional indicators "front" and "rear" mentioned in this invention refer to the direction closer to the front of the vehicle ("front") and the direction closer to the rear of the vehicle ("rear") when the hood is mounted on the vehicle body. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various elements without intending to limit the positional, temporal, or importance relationships between these elements; such terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another.

[0028] This invention aims to provide a structural improvement to the engine hood of a vehicle. By using a two-piece engine hood body and an engine hood trim panel, the probability of the entire engine hood needing repair is reduced in the event of a collision. At the same time, graphics or text can be set on the engine hood trim panel as needed, making the engine hood design more flexible and meeting the needs of vehicle design style.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the engine hood of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The explosive structure of the engine hood is shown. Figure 3This shows a reference layout of the engine hood application at the front end of a vehicle. (Reference) Figures 1 to 3 The engine hood 1 is located above the engine compartment of the vehicle. The engine hood 1 can be rotatably opened to inspect the interior of the engine compartment. The front end of the engine hood 1 overlaps with the exterior trim 2. The engine hood 1 includes a hood panel 100 and a hood body 200. One end of the hood body 200 has a mounting base 210 for mounting the hood panel 100. Both the hood panel 100 and the hood body 200 are sheet-like structures. The hood panel 100 is at least partially overlapped on the mounting base 210 and fixed to it to ensure the stability of the entire engine hood structure. It is understood that the mounting base 210 of the hood body 200 can be located at any end of the hood body 200, but considering the styling harmony and aesthetics of the engine hood 1, the hood panel 100 is usually located at the front end of the hood body 200.

[0030] Generally, the surface area ratio of the hood trim 100 to the exterior surface of the engine hood 1 is set to no more than 1 / 2, preferably no more than 1 / 5. The exterior surface of the engine hood 1 includes the exterior surface 101 of the hood trim 100 (i.e., the top surface of the hood trim 100) and the exterior surface 201 of the engine hood body 200 (i.e., the top surface of the engine hood body 200). The exterior surface 101 of the hood trim 100 and the exterior surface 201 of the engine hood body 200 form a streamlined surface with coordinated styling. In other words, the exterior surface 101 of the hood trim 100 and the exterior surface 201 of the engine hood body 200 form a streamlined surface with an almost smooth transition. Those skilled in the art should understand that the appearance of the hood 1 directly affects the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle, such as the drag coefficient. A streamlined appearance is a fundamental requirement for the hood's design. Therefore, in this invention, the appearance surfaces 101 of the hood trim 100 and 201 of the hood body 200 should be designed as coordinated streamlined surfaces. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should understand that when a vehicle encounters a collision, especially a frontal collision, the bumper is generally damaged first, followed by the hood. By dividing the hood into two parts, the hood trim near the front is damaged first in a collision, reducing the probability of needing to repair the entire hood. Repairing only the hood trim can be achieved by simply replacing the trim to maintain its connection with the hood body, reducing repair costs and time. Simultaneously, unique graphic or text designs can be incorporated into the hood trim, making the hood's design more flexible and meeting the needs of vehicle design styles.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figures 4-5The hood trim panel 100 includes an outer layer 110, an inner layer 120, and a middle layer 130. The connection between these three layers can be either that the outer layer 110 is connected to the inner layer 120, with the middle layer 130 sandwiched in between, or that the middle layer 130 is pre-connected to either the outer layer 110 or the inner layer 120 before being connected to the remaining layer. Considering that the outer layer 110 is the exterior surface, it is preferable to pre-connect the inner layer 120 to the middle layer 130 before connecting it to the outer layer 110. The outer layer 110 forms the exterior surface of the hood trim panel 100, and graphics or text can be designed on it according to a design style, such as unique color combinations, vehicle model markings, brand logos, etc. The inner layer 120 is used to connect to the mounting base 210, and the mounting base 210 is designed accordingly based on the installation method.

[0032] Furthermore, the intermediate layer 130 includes a first sealing lip 131 and a second sealing lip 132. The first sealing lip 131 extends from the front end of the hood trim 100 between the outer layer 110 and the inner layer 120, and the second sealing lip 132 extends from the rear end of the hood trim 100 between the outer layer 110 and the inner layer 120. The front end of the first sealing lip 131 can abut against the outer trim 2 to cover the hood body 1, and the rear end of the second sealing lip 132 abuts against the hood body 200. Those skilled in the art should understand that if there is a gap between the hood 1 and the outer trim 2, the kinetic energy generated by the relative speed between the air in the gap and the vehicle during vehicle movement needs to be overcome by the vehicle. The first sealing lip 131 abutting against the outer trim 2 can guide the airflow to the hood, optimize the vehicle's airflow field, reduce the work done by the vehicle against the air, and also provide dust and water protection. The second sealing lip 132, abutting against the engine hood body 200, also serves to prevent dust and water ingress, especially preventing rainwater from entering the engine compartment and damaging the electronic components inside. Furthermore, the material of the intermediate layer 130 is preferably rubber. This arrangement allows the intermediate layer 130 to achieve a seal with the surrounding components through interference without damaging them. Additionally, when the engine hood 1 is closed, the first sealing lip 131 of the intermediate layer 130 also provides a buffering and noise reduction function. Preferably, the first sealing lip 131 interferes with the exterior trim 2 within a range of 5-10 mm, and the second sealing lip 132 interferes with the engine hood body 200 within a range of 2-5 mm. The first sealing lip 131 and the second sealing lip 132 can be an annular structure connected end-to-end, or a flow channel can be provided between the molds of the first sealing lip 131 and the second sealing lip 132, forming a... Figure 4 The first sealing lip 131 and the second sealing lip 132 are shown as being connected in the middle and in the shape of a strip.

[0033] Furthermore, to allow for greater flexibility in the design of the outer layer 110, it is preferable that the material of the outer layer 110 is plastic, and correspondingly, the material of the inner layer 120 can also be plastic. During the manufacturing of the engine hood 1, the inner layer 120 can be pre-embedded in the mold cavity of the intermediate layer 130, and the intermediate layer 130 can be formed through secondary injection molding, connecting the intermediate layer 130 to the inner layer 120. Finally, the outer layer 110 and the inner layer 120 are connected by piercing welds.

[0034] More specifically, in Figure 6 The structure of the first sealing lip 131 shown includes a first section 1311 that fits against the inner layer 120 and a second section 1312 that extends from the first section 1311 away from the outer layer 110 to cover the casing body 200. The first section 1311 and the second section 1312 are... Figure 6 The cross-section shown is approximately L-shaped. When the first sealing lip 131 abuts against the outer trim 2, the second section 1312 naturally bends due to the resistance from the outer trim 2. The intermediate layer 130 is made of rubber, which has resilience; that is, the second section 1312 generates an elastic force on the outer trim 2, which improves the sealing effect between the second section 1312 and the outer trim 2. Specifically, the first sealing lip 131 also includes a protrusion 1313 extending from the connection point between the first section 1311 and the second section 1312 toward the outer layer 110 and abutting against the outer layer 110. The length of the protrusion 1313 ranges from 2-5 mm, which can improve the bending strength of the second section 1312 and enhance its rebound effect. Thus, when the engine hood 1 is closed for a long time and then reopened, the protrusion 1313 can assist the second section 1312 in quickly rebounding and restoring its elasticity.

[0035] Figure 7 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the engine hood 1 along BB, as shown below. Figure 7 As shown, the hood trim panel 100 is provided with locating pins 121 for auxiliary positioning during installation. Clips 122 can be pre-installed on the hood trim panel 100 to engage with the mounting base 210 of the hood body 200. Alternatively, bolts 123 can be used to connect the hood trim panel 100 to the mounting base 210 of the hood body 200. Both clip and bolt connections can be used simultaneously to ensure the stability of the connection between the hood trim panel 100 and the hood body 200. Those skilled in the art should understand that the number and location of the locating pins, clips, and bolts need to be determined based on the specific engine hood design.

[0036] In some embodiments, the present invention also provides a vehicle including the engine hood 1 described above.

[0037] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that, under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in the present invention, but all of them fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0038] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An engine hood (1) characterized in that, The engine hood (1) comprises: a hood body (200), one end of the hood body (200) forming a mounting base (210); and, a hood trim panel (100) at least partially superimposed on the mounting base (210) and fixed to the mounting base (210), wherein an appearance surface (201) of the hood body (200) and an appearance surface (101) of the hood trim panel (100) form a streamlined surface in cooperation with each other.

2. The bonnet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The hood trim panel (100) comprises an outer layer (110), an inner layer (120) and an intermediate layer (130) connected with each other, the outer layer (110) forming the appearance surface (101) of the hood trim panel (100), and the inner layer (120) being connected with the mounting base (210).

3. The bonnet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The intermediate layer (130) comprises a first sealing lip (131) and a second sealing lip (132) respectively extending out from between the outer layer (110) and the inner layer (120) at two opposite ends of the hood trim panel (100), wherein the first sealing lip (131) is configured to shield the hood body (200), and the second sealing lip (132) is configured to abut against the hood body (200).

4. The bonnet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The material of the intermediate layer (130) is rubber, and / or the material of the outer layer (110) is plastic, and / or the material of the inner layer (120) is plastic.

5. The bonnet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The intermediate layer (130) is connected with the inner layer (120) by being molded on the inner layer (120).

6. The bonnet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The outer layer (110) and the inner layer (120) are connected by piercing welding.

7. The bonnet (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first sealing lip (131) comprises a first section (1311) abutting against the inner layer (120) and a second section (1312) bent and extending away from the outer layer (110) from the first section (1311) to shield the hood body (200).

8. The bonnet (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The first sealing lip (131) further comprises a protrusion (1313) extending from a connection point between the first section (1311) and the second section (1312) towards the outer layer (110) and abutting against the outer layer (110).

9. The bonnet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The hood trim panel (100) is fixed to the hood body (200) by clamping and / or screwing.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The engine hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Citation Information

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