A hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism for active pedestrian protection

Abstract

The utility model discloses an engine cover hinge electric actuator control mechanism of active pedestrian protection, it includes hinge, is used for controlling the engine cover connecting end pull line of hinge reset and is used for controlling the release end pull line of hinge unlocking, engine cover connecting end pull line and release end pull line be connected with integral type controller or be connected with split type controller and realize the reset and unlocking of hinge, this engine cover hinge electric actuator control mechanism can realize quick unlocking hinge and protect pedestrian, and can reset the hinge that has unfolded after false touch, will not cause damage to hinge body, has realized the high multiplicity of product, and has improved the environmental protection, has reduced or saved the maintenance cost simultaneously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to an active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] A pedestrian protection hinge is a safety device installed on the hood of a car. Its main purpose is to raise the hood a certain height through a specific mechanical or electronic triggering mechanism when a collision occurs between the vehicle and a pedestrian, thereby reducing injury to the pedestrian. It is an important component of modern automotive passive safety systems.

[0003] Pedestrian protection hinges have a buffering and energy-absorbing function. When a collision occurs, the hinge triggers, causing the rear of the engine hood to spring up, creating a buffer space to prevent pedestrians' heads from directly impacting hard engine components. Pedestrian protection hinges also reduce head injuries by increasing the deformation distance and extending the collision time, thereby reducing the impact force on the head and lowering the risk of serious injury or death.

[0004] Currently available hood assemblies with active pedestrian protection use a pyrotechnic trigger. When a pedestrian collides with the vehicle's front bumper, the pyrotechnic trigger ignites and explodes, breaking the locking mechanism and popping the hood to cushion the impact energy. The pedestrian protection system only activates when the pedestrian collides with the vehicle's front bumper, completing the rear hood pop-up within 150-200ms. This ensures that the hood is in position when the pedestrian's head hits the rear of the hood, providing a buffer space to reduce head injury. However, on bumpy roads or in minor collisions (such as low-speed rear-end collisions), vibrations or sensor misjudgments may cause the hood to pop up unexpectedly, increasing maintenance costs.

[0005] The above method has the following main drawbacks: 1. Once the pedestrian protection system is triggered, the vehicle must be sent to a repair shop as soon as possible and cannot be used normally; 2. If the pedestrian protection system is accidentally triggered, the pop-up function will still be released, and the hinge and triggering device and other related parts still need to be replaced. Usually, the entire hinge assembly needs to be replaced, and some models also need to replace the hood or sensors, resulting in high repair and replacement costs; 3. The existing trigger technology is a gunpowder trigger, which is not environmentally friendly.

[0006] For example, Chinese patent CN213831609 discloses an active pedestrian protection hood hinge system and vehicle. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge system includes: a sensor that monitors and transmits road condition information; a controller that is communicatively connected to the sensor, receiving road condition information and sending control commands; an actuator that is communicatively connected to the controller, receiving control commands and performing actions; and a hinge assembly, with the actuator and hood both connected to the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly drives the hood to pop up or reset according to the actuator's actions. This active pedestrian protection hood hinge system and vehicle reduces head injuries to pedestrians after a collision, lowering the risk of serious injury and death. However, once this active pedestrian protection hood hinge system is triggered, the vehicle cannot be used normally and must be sent to a repair shop as soon as possible. Furthermore, because the pop-up function has been released, the hinge and related parts such as the trigger mechanism need to be replaced, and the replacement cost is high.

[0007] Therefore, pedestrian protection hinge control mechanisms are a crucial technology in automotive safety design, effectively reducing issues such as false triggering and high maintenance costs. In the future, with advancements in materials science and intelligent sensing technology, their reliability and protective effectiveness are expected to improve further. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Purpose of the utility model: In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, this utility model provides an active pedestrian protection engine hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism. This engine hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism can quickly unlock the hinge to protect pedestrians, and can reset the unfolded hinge after accidental activation without causing damage to the hinge body. It achieves high reusability of the product, improves environmental protection, and reduces or saves maintenance costs.

[0009] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism, which includes a hinge, a hood connection end pull cable for controlling hinge reset, and a release end pull cable for controlling hinge unlocking. The hood connection end pull cable and the release end pull cable achieve hinge reset and unlocking by being connected to an integrated controller or a separate controller.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the integrated controller includes an actuator housing, a base, a reset pull wire end, an unlock pull wire end, a winding reel, a micro switch, and a motor. The micro switch and the motor are respectively mounted on the base. The winding reel and the motor are connected and fixed above the motor via a spline connection. The winding reel is provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stop block and a lower stop block located on the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove, respectively. The wire rope wound in the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove is respectively connected to the reset pull wire end and the unlock pull wire end. The actuator housing seals the winding reel on the base using a sealing ring. Holes are provided on the upper and lower blocks respectively. The reset pull cable rivet and the unlock pull cable rivet, which are threaded on the wire rope, are in contact with the upper and lower blocks respectively. When the lower block on the winding reel drives the pull cable connected to the unlock pull cable rivet, the reset pull cable rivet moves freely in the upper wire rope groove on the winding reel. Conversely, when the upper block on the winding reel drives the pull cable connected to the reset pull cable rivet, the unlock pull cable rivet moves freely in the lower wire rope groove on the winding reel. The reset pull cable end or the unlock pull cable end pulls the engine hood connection end pull cable or the release end pull cable to unlock or reset the hinge.

[0011] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the reset cable end is connected to the engine hood connection cable via a reset cable, and the unlock cable end is connected to the release cable via an unlock cable.

[0012] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the reel pulls the reset cable end or the unlock cable end under the drive of the motor rotating clockwise or counterclockwise. The reset cable end is connected to the hood connection cable to reset the hinge, and the unlock cable end is connected to the release cable to unlock the hinge. The hood is raised to increase the buffer space for collisions.

[0013] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, when the radar detects that a pedestrian is about to be hit, after the motor receives the unlocking signal from the ECU, the motor drives the winding wheel to rotate counterclockwise, tightening the unlocking cable end and pulling the pawl on the hinge to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking. After the hood is opened by collision or accidental triggering, the motor drives the winding wheel to rotate clockwise after receiving a reset signal from the ECU. This tightens the reset cable end and pulls the reset linkage on the hinge, causing the hinge mechanism and the hood to return to the reset state. After the ECU provides reverse power to the motor, the motor drives the winding reel to rotate clockwise. After the ECU receives the switching signal from the micro switch, the ECU controls the motor to cut off the power. At this time, the stop on the winding reel just abuts against the unlocking cable end, preparing for the next trigger to perform the unlocking action.

[0014] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the split controller includes a reset actuator and an unlock actuator. The reset actuator is connected to the hood connection end cable via a reset cable, and the unlock actuator is connected to the release end cable via an unlock cable. The unlock actuator model is 6NW 009 203 series, and the supplier is HELLA. Since the unlock actuator is existing technology, its function and working principle will not be described in detail here.

[0015] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the reset actuator includes an outer tube, an end cap sealing the end of the hollow outer tube, a connector cable installed inside the outer tube and the end cap, a motor assembly, a slider, and a lead screw. The motor assembly is fixed inside the outer tube. One end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor assembly, and the other end of the lead screw passes through the slider and abuts against the end cap. One end of the connector cable is installed on the slider, and the other end of the connector cable passes through the end cap and connects to the reset cable. The connector cable passes through the slider. Under the action of external force, the axial sliding of the connector cable on the slider can absorb and adjust the installation error of the hinges on the left and right sides.

[0016] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, the connector pull wire is at least one, and the number of connector pull wires is equal to the number of hinges.

[0017] As a further preferred embodiment of this invention, the number of unlocking actuators is equal to the number of hinges.

[0018] As a further preferred embodiment of this utility model, after the unlocking actuator receives the unlocking signal from the ECU, the unlocking actuator is energized to tighten the unlocking cable. The unlocking cable pulls the pawl on the hinge to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking, and the hood is raised to increase the buffer space for collision. After unlocking is complete, the ECU powers on the unlocking actuator to reverse its rotation, returning it to its initial position and preparing it for the next unlocking action. After the reset actuator receives the reset signal from the ECU, the motor assembly rotates, causing the lead screw to rotate. This causes the slider mounted on the lead screw to slide on the lead screw. The cable connected to the slider is pulled towards the motor assembly, and at the same time, the reset linkages on the left and right hinges are pulled, so that the hinge mechanism and the hood return to the reset state.

[0019] Beneficial effects: The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism of this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art: (1) By using an integrated controller or a separate controller to achieve electric release and reset control, the active hinge can be reused after it springs up. (2) By using an integrated controller or a separate controller to achieve electric release and reset control, existing detection and control equipment can be fully utilized without the need to add additional related parts; (3) By using an integrated controller or a separate controller to achieve electric release and reset control, there is no worry about the expiration date and no need to replace it regularly; (4) The hinge can be reset and reused after being accidentally triggered, and the relevant parts do not need to be replaced, reducing maintenance costs; (5) Compared with the gunpowder-based release structure, the electric structure does not cause environmental pollution caused by chemical combustion; (6) By flexibly setting up split controllers and integrated controllers to control the hinge structure, it can conform to the shape of the car's internal structure and maximize the utilization of space structure according to the arrangement of the car's internal structure. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the winding reel structure for an integrated controller; Figure 2 An exploded view of the integrated controller; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the integrated controller and hinge assembly. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a split-type controller; Figure 5 This is a full sectional view of the reset actuator; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge in the unlocked state; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge in the reset state; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge in the reset state from another perspective. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] As shown in the attached figure, this utility model discloses an active pedestrian protection engine hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism. It includes a hinge 12, an engine hood connection end pull cable 2121, a release end pull cable 2122, an integrated controller consisting of an actuator housing 1, a base 2, a reset pull cable end 3, an unlock pull cable end 4, a winding wheel 5, a micro switch 7, and a motor 8, and a separate controller consisting of an outer tube 91, a connector pull cable 92, a motor assembly 93, a slider 94, a lead screw 95, an end cap 96, and an unlocking actuator 10. The engine hood connection end pull cable 2121 is used to control the reset of the hinge 12, and the release end pull cable 2122 is used to control the unlocking of the hinge 12. The engine hood connection end pull cable 2121 and the release end pull cable 2122 achieve the reset and unlocking of the hinge 12 by connecting to the integrated controller or the separate controller.

[0023] The integrated controller includes an actuator housing 1, a base 2, a reset pull cable end 3, an unlock pull cable end 4, a winding reel 5, a micro switch 7, and a motor 8. The micro switch 7 and the motor 8 are respectively mounted on the base 2. The winding reel 5 and the motor 8 are connected by a spline and fixed above the motor 8. The winding reel 5 is provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stop block 51 and a lower stop block 52 located on the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove, respectively. The wire rope wound in the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove is connected to the reset pull cable end 3 and the unlock pull cable end 4, respectively. The actuator housing 1 uses a sealing ring 6 to seal the winding reel 5 on the base 2. The reset pull cable end 3 is connected to the engine hood connection end pull cable 2121 through the reset pull cable 42. The unlock pull cable end 4 is connected to the release end pull cable 2122 through the unlock pull cable 35. Holes are respectively provided on the upper stop block 51 and the lower stop block 52. The reset pull wire rivet head 31 and the unlock pull wire rivet head 41, which are threaded onto the wire rope, contact the upper stop block 51 and the lower stop block 52 respectively. When the lower stop block 52 on the winding reel 5 drives the pull wire connected to the unlock pull wire rivet head 41 to move, the reset pull wire rivet head 31 moves freely in the upper wire rope groove on the winding reel 5; conversely, when the upper stop block 51 on the winding reel 5 drives the pull wire connected to the reset pull wire rivet head 31 to move, the unlock pull wire rivet head 41 moves freely in the lower wire rope groove on the winding reel 5. Figure 1 As shown.

[0024] Driven by the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the motor 8, the reel 5 pulls the reset pull cable end 3 or the unlock pull cable end 4. The reset pull cable end 3 is connected to the engine hood connection end pull cable 2121 to reset the hinge 12. The unlock pull cable end 4 is connected to the release end pull cable 2122 to unlock the hinge 12.

[0025] The split controller includes a reset actuator 9 and an unlock actuator 10. The reset actuator 9 is connected to the hood connection end pull wire 2121 via a reset pull wire 42, and the unlock actuator 10 is connected to the release end pull wire 2122 via an unlock pull wire 35.

[0026] The reset actuator 9 includes an outer tube 91, and a connector cable 92, a motor assembly 93, a slider 94, and a lead screw 95 installed inside the outer tube 91. The end cap 96 seals the end of the hollow outer tube 91. The motor assembly 93 is fixed inside the outer tube 91. One end of the lead screw 95 is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor assembly 93. The other end of the lead screw 95 passes through the slider 94 and abuts against the end cap 96. One end of the connector cable 92 is fixedly connected to the slider 94, and the other end of the connector cable 92 passes through the end cap 96 and is connected to the reset cable 42.

[0027] The rotation of the motor assembly 93 drives the lead screw 95 to rotate, causing the slider 94 sleeved on the lead screw 95 to slide on the lead screw 95. The pull wire 92, which is fixed to the slider 94, simultaneously pulls the reset connecting rods on the left and right hinges 12. Example

[0028] The disc-shaped integrated actuators are arranged symmetrically on both sides. When the radar detects an impending collision with a pedestrian, it sends a signal to the ADAS ECU. After motor 8 receives the power-on unlock signal from the ECU, ... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the motor 8 drives the winding wheel 5 to rotate counterclockwise, tightening the unlocking pull end 4 and pulling the pawl on the hinge 12 to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking; After receiving the reset signal from the ECU, the motor 8 drives the winding wheel 5 to rotate clockwise, tightening the reset pull wire end 3 and pulling the reset linkage on the hinge 12 to return the hinge mechanism and the hood to the reset state. After the ECU supplies reverse power to the motor 8, the motor 8 drives the winding wheel 5 to rotate clockwise. After the ECU receives the switching signal from the micro switch 7, the ECU controls the motor 8 to be de-energized. At this time, the lower stop 52 on the winding wheel 5 just abuts against the unlocking cable end 4, preparing for the next trigger to perform the unlocking action. Example

[0029] After the unlocking actuator 10 receives the unlocking signal from the ECU, the unlocking actuator 10 is energized to tighten the unlocking cable 35. The unlocking cable 35 pulls the pawl on the hinge 12 to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking. After unlocking is completed, the ECU powers the unlocking actuator 10 to reverse its rotation, so that the unlocking actuator 10 returns to its initial position; After the reset actuator 9 receives the reset signal from the ECU, the motor assembly 93 rotates, causing the lead screw 95 to rotate. This causes the slider 94, which is sleeved on the lead screw 95, to slide on the lead screw 95. The cable 92, which is fixed to the slider 94, is tightened towards the motor assembly 93, simultaneously pulling the reset linkages on the left and right hinges 12, returning the hinge mechanism and the hood to the reset state. Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown.

[0030] Motor 8 drives reel 5 to rotate counterclockwise, tightening unlocking cable end 4 or, after unlocking actuator 10 is energized and unlocking cable 35 is tightened, release cable 2122 is pulled tight, causing pawl 2151 connected to release cable 2122 to rotate counterclockwise around rivet shaft A2152, thereby disengaging latch 2161 from pawl 2151. This ultimately causes locking lever 223 to disengage from the groove on latch 2161. After losing the limiting control of latch 2161, locking lever 223 simultaneously releases torsion springs C234, D235, E244, and F245, releasing its stored torsional energy to hood connector 221, thus opening the hood. Figure 6 As shown.

[0031] After the motor 8 receives a power-on reset signal from the ECU or the reset actuator 9 receives a power-on reset signal from the ECU, the hood connection cable 2121 is tightened, causing the locking rod 223, which is fixed to the hood connector 221, to move downwards. The locking rod 223 contacts the locking tongue 2161, causing the locking tongue 2161 to rotate around the rivet shaft B2162. After the locking tongue 2161 contacts the pawl 2151, it continues to rotate around the rivet shaft A2152 until the locking tongue 2161 and the pawl 2151 abut against each other, achieving a locked state. This re-locks and resets the hood connector 221 and the hood connector 20. Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown.

[0032] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism for active pedestrian protection, comprising a hinge (12), characterized in that: It also includes a hood connection cable (2121) for controlling the hinge (12) to reset and a release cable (2122) for controlling the hinge (12) to unlock. The hood connection cable (2121) and the release cable (2122) are connected to an integrated controller or a separate controller to reset and unlock the hinge (12). The integrated controller is set in pairs and arranged symmetrically on the left and right.

2. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integrated controller includes an actuator housing (1), a base (2), a reset pull wire end (3), an unlock pull wire end (4), a winding wheel (5), a micro switch (7), and a motor (8). The micro switch (7) and the motor (8) are respectively mounted on the base (2). The winding wheel (5) and the motor (8) are connected by a spline and fixed above the motor (8). The winding wheel (5) is provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stop block (51) and a lower stop block (52) located on the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove. The wire rope wound in the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove is connected to the reset pull wire end (3) and the unlock pull wire end (4) respectively. The actuator housing (1) uses a sealing ring (6) to seal the winding wheel (5) on the base (2). The upper stop (51) and lower stop (52) are respectively provided with holes. The reset pull wire rivet head (31) and the unlock pull wire rivet head (41) which are inserted on the wire rope are in contact with the upper stop (51) and the lower stop (52) respectively. When the lower stop (52) on the winding wheel (5) drives the pull wire connected to the unlock pull wire rivet head (41) to move, the reset pull wire rivet head (31) moves freely in the upper wire rope groove on the winding wheel (5); conversely, when the upper stop (51) on the winding wheel (5) drives the pull wire connected to the reset pull wire rivet head (31) to move, the unlock pull wire rivet head (41) moves freely in the lower wire rope groove on the winding wheel (5). The hinge (12) can be unlocked or reset by pulling the hood connection cable (2121) or release cable (2122) from the reset cable end (3) or the unlock cable end (4).

3. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reset pull cable end (3) is connected to the engine hood connection end pull cable (2121) via the reset pull cable (42), and the unlock pull cable end (4) is connected to the release end pull cable (2122) via the unlock pull cable (35).

4. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reel (5) pulls the reset pull cable end (3) or the unlock pull cable end (4) under the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the motor (8). The reset pull cable end (3) is connected to the engine hood connection end pull cable (2121) to reset the hinge (12). The unlock pull cable end (4) is connected to the release end pull cable (2122) to unlock the hinge (12).

5. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the motor (8) receives the power unlock signal from the ECU, the motor (8) drives the winding wheel (5) to rotate counterclockwise, tightens the unlocking pull end (4), and pulls the pawl on the hinge (12) to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking; After the motor (8) receives the power reset signal from the ECU, the motor (8) drives the winding wheel (5) to rotate clockwise, tightens the reset pull end (3), and pulls the reset linkage on the hinge (12) to return the hinge mechanism and the hood to the reset state. After the ECU supplies reverse power to the motor (8), the motor (8) drives the winding wheel (5) to rotate clockwise. After the ECU receives the switching signal from the micro switch (7), the ECU controls the motor (8) to be de-energized. At this time, the stop on the winding wheel (5) just abuts against the unlocking cable end (4), preparing for the next trigger to perform the unlocking action.

6. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The split controller includes a reset actuator (9) and an unlock actuator (10). The reset actuator (9) is connected to the hood connection end pull line (2121) via a reset pull line (42), and the unlock actuator (10) is connected to the release end pull line (2122) via an unlock pull line (35).

7. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The reset actuator (9) includes an outer tube (91), an end cap (96) that seals the end of the hollow outer tube (91), a connector cable (92) installed in the outer tube (91) and the end cap (96), a motor assembly (93), a slider (94) and a lead screw (95). The motor assembly (93) is fixed inside the outer tube (91). One end of the lead screw (95) is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor assembly (93). The other end of the lead screw (95) passes through the slider (94) and abuts against the end cap (96). One end of the connector cable (92) is installed on the slider (94), and the other end of the connector cable (92) passes through the end cap (96) and is connected to the reset cable (42).

8. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connector pull wire (92) is at least one, and the number of connector pull wires (92) is equal to the number of hinges (12).

9. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of unlocking actuators (10) is equal to the number of hinges (12).

10. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge electric actuator control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the unlocking actuator (10) receives the unlocking signal from the ECU, the unlocking actuator (10) is energized to tighten the unlocking cable (35), and the unlocking cable (35) pulls the pawl on the hinge (12) to rotate in the unlocking direction to achieve unlocking; After unlocking is completed, the ECU powers on the unlocking actuator (10) to make it rotate in reverse, so that the unlocking actuator (10) returns to its initial position; After the reset actuator (9) receives the reset signal from the ECU, the motor assembly (93) rotates, causing the lead screw (95) to rotate, so that the slider (94) sleeved on the lead screw (95) slides on the lead screw (95). The connecting cable (92) fixed to the slider (94) is tightened towards the motor assembly (93), and at the same time, the reset linkage on the hinges (12) on the left and right sides is pulled, so that the hinge mechanism and the hood return to the reset state.

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