PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION VEHICLE HINGE

Abstract

A pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) comprising: a first hinge portion (18), a second hinge portion (20) comprising a first member and a second member (28, 30) secured together by a member pin (32), and wherein one of the first member and the second member (28, 30) has an opening (44) adapted to releasably retain a releasable pin (48); a first linkage and a second linkage (22, 24) spaced apart from each other and each pivotally connected to the first hinge portion (18) and the first member (28), the first linkage and the second linkage (22, 24) being configured to allow movement of the first hinge portion (18) and the second hinge portion (20) relative to each other between a normal hood closed position (P1) and a normal hood open position (P2); an actuator assembly (34) comprising an actuator (36) configured to engage the second member (30) and move the second member relative to the first member (28) in response to a collision input; a release assembly (42) comprising a retainer (46) disposed adjacent the opening (44), wherein the releasable pin (48) is carried by the other of the first member or the second member (28, 30) and the releasable pin is captured in the opening by the retainer in the normally closed position and the normally open position, and wherein the retainer is configured to release the releasable pin in response to the collision input, allowing the second member to rotate about the member pin (32) relative to the first member (28); a retaining member (56) rotatably mounted to the second element (30) at a first end (58) and having a retaining pin (62) adjacent its second end (59) and a locating pin (64) between a first end (58) and a second end (59); wherein the locating pin (64) is configured to ride in a curved slot (66) in the first member (28) to change an orientation of the retaining member (56) with respect to the second member (30) when the second member (30) pivots about the member pin (32) relative to the first member (28); wherein the first hinge portion (18) includes a retention slot (68) and a flexible retention clip (70) attached thereto, the retention clip including an open portion (72) adjacent an open-ended narrow channel (74); the retaining pin (62) is configured to align with the retaining slot (68) and bias the retaining clip (70) sufficiently to allow a portion of the retaining pin (62) to enter the open portion of the retaining clip (70) and thereby reverse the bias of the retaining clip (70) to allow the retaining clip (70) to again rest adjacent the retaining slot (68), thereby resisting movement of the retaining pin (62) by the retaining clip (70).

Description

BACKGROUNDThis disclosure relates to a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge.In recent years, the automotive industry has expanded the use of pedestrian protection features on automobiles. One such function is to make the vehicle front, in particular the engine hood, more compliant in the event of a frontal impact with a pedestrian.One approach to absorbing pedestrian impact with the hood is to use actuators connected to the hood hinges to slightly raise the hood and create a crush zone between the hood and the engine compartment. Pyrotechnic actuators are typically used, which are also used in other vehicle safety systems, such as belt tensioners.Because the hinges must maintain their normal function, the hinges include a trip unit that maintains the desired structural relationship between the components of the hinge during a normal hinge operating condition, but selectively allows certain elements of the hinge to move relative to each other when the actuators are triggered. Once the hood is slightly lifted in a pedestrian impact, the hood must be kept open because the pyrotechnic actuators release pressure after actuation (for safety reasons) and are unable to maintain the hood in this slightly open position.Another approach, in vehicles with engines with smaller displacement, leaves the hood closed during a pedestrian impact. A sufficient crush zone between the closed hood and the small engine allows the hood to collapse into the engine compartment during a pedestrian impact without requiring an actuator.A number of pedestrian protection hinge systems have been proposed in the prior art. US 2013 / 0 074 284 A1 to Kwhr et al. describes a hood hinge comprising a body hinge element and a hood hinge element joined together at a pivotable connection. The hood hinge element is connected to a bracket at a shear pin and at a pivot pin located near the distal end of the hood hinge element and a first end of the bracket. The bracket is connected to the hood at a first (horizontal) wall. The shear pin prevents relative movement between the hood hinge portion and the bracket upon normal opening and closing of the hood. Thus, in normal operation, the hood hinge enables the hood to be opened from the front, since the hood hinge part pivots about the pivotable connection relative to the body hinge part. A stop pin attached to the hood hinge is seated in a slot in a second (vertical) wall of the bracket. In normal operation, the stop pin plays no role in the hinge movement, since the shear pin prevents a relative movement between the hood hinge part and the holder. The stop pin is in contact with a latching lug of a flexible locking element which is fastened by a fastening element to a first (horizontal) wall of the holder. When a pedestrian collision occurs at the front end of the vehicle, a signal is sent to the actuator via the electrical conductor. The actuator pushes the first wall of the bracket upwardly, thereby shearing the shear pin. This allows the bracket to rotate about the pivot relative to the hood hinge portion, thereby raising the rear of the hood relative to the front of the hood. After the shear pin is sheared, the stop pin attached to the hood hinge element is forced out of the detent in the flexible detent and moves downward to the lower limit of the slot in the second wall of the bracket. The pressure that the latching element exerts on the stop pin decreases significantly after the stop pin has left the latching. Although the free end of the pawl member remains in contact with the stopper pin, it exerts only a slight force. The action of the stop pin against the latching element thus does not ensure a controlled braking of the system when it reaches its maximum travel point. The stop pin substantially rides into the lower end of the slot to terminate movement of the hood. This can result in severe "hood flutter" and increased pedestrian contact acceleration when the system reaches its end stop during the pedestrian impact. If, after the impact, the hood is to be restored to a more normal position to allow the driver to better see forward through the windshield, by pressing down the hood with the hand, the stop pin can be moved upward in the slot, back along the profile of the locking element, and into the detent. The latch element does not appear to cause a latch or to substantially separate the bracket and the hood hinge element when the hood is in the extended position after a pedestrian impact.DE 10 2008 046 145 A1 to Kostler et al. describes two pedestrian protection devices, one passive (FIGS. 1 to 3 ) and one active (FIGS. 8 and 9 ). There are first and second linkages spaced apart from each other. In the passive mode, the distance between the linkages may vary by allowing the pivot to be laterally displaced. In the active mode, the pivot points remain constant. The linkages are not connected to the first and second hinge portions (i.e., a first hinge portion and the first portion of a second hinge portion). Although the upper pivot points are connected to a hinge part which in turn is directly or indirectly connected to the engine hood, the lower pivot points are connected to the body of the vehicle. Thus, while the joints of coestlers are involved in a pedestrian impact, they are not connected to two hinge parts.EP 2 634 047 A1 to Zippert et al. discloses a pin which is not held by a hook but can be released from an end of a slot forming the hook. There is no frangible clip that retains the pin in the hook. Rather, a separate shear screw (engagement means) is provided which shears off in the event of a collision. There are no first and second links pivotally connected to a first hinge portion and a first member.WO 2017 / 003 641 A1 to Patterson discloses a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge comprising an unlocking assembly comprising a clip held at one of the first and second ends and a stop pin held by the other of the first and second members. The stop pin is captured within the clip in the normally closed position and the normally open position. The stop pin is configured to break the clip in response to a collision input, allowing the second member to rotate about an element pin relative to the first member to a hood collision open position and move the stop pin to a second end of a slot. An actuator is configured to engage the second member and move the second member upward relative to the first member and break the clip in response to the collision input. The stop pin remains clamped in the slot to limit the expansion of the first and second members. Additionally, a support system with a separate ramp may be used to quickly decelerate the hood as it is deployed.DE 10 2009 040 415 A1 describes a vehicle safety device for lifting a component of the outer skin of the associated vehicle by means of an actuator in the event of a person impact, having a first hinge part and a second hinge part pivotably mounted on this first hinge part. DE 10 2017 130 621 A1 describes a hinge arrangement for fastening a hood to a body of a vehicle, comprising a body-side bracket firmly connected to the body, a pivot mechanism configured to place the hinge arrangement in a retracted position in which the hood adjoins the body, an access position in which the hood rotates towards a vehicle rear and an active position in which the hood rotates towards a front side of the vehicle, an actuator configured to move the pivot mechanism into the active position, a bolt fastened to the body-side bracket, and a stop connection fastened to the hood-side bracket and defining a slot, wherein the bolt engages in the slot, when the pivot mechanism is in the active position. CN 1 04 444 348 A describes a device comprising a fastening portion and a removable locking portion. The fixing portion includes a plate-shaped fixing body provided with an arc-shaped fixing slot and having a fixing through hole extending through both sides of the fixing body. The locking portion includes an elongated locking body defining a locking through hole on each side of the locking body. The locking through hole and the fixing through hole are coaxially arranged. US 10 315 613 82 describes a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge comprising a release arrangement, the release arrangement comprising a clip held at one of the first and second opposite ends of a slot in one of the first and second members and a stop pin carried by the other of the first and second members. The stop pin is held in the clip in the normally closed position and the normally open position. An actuator is configured to engage the second member and move the second member upward relative to the first member in response to a collision input. The stop pin is configured to break the clip in response to this force, thereby allowing the second member to rotate about an element pin relative to the first member to a hood collision open position and the stop pin moves toward the end of the slot opposite the clip. EP 2 796 348 B1 describes an active hinge device of the connecting type for a motor vehicle engine hood, which can be used both in a hood-opening design of the hinge type and in a design with a connecting hinge, in which the hood is opened at its front side. More particularly, the invention relates to a joint-type active hinge device for an automotive hood, capable of quickly raising the rear end portion of the hood upon collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian, thereby reducing the impact force acting on the head of the pedestrian while ensuring a reliable function of raising the rear end portion of the hood. U.S. Pat. No. 10,369,959 B2 describes a hood adjustment mechanism for connecting a hood panel to a body structure of a vehicle. The hood adjustment mechanism includes a safety mechanism for raising a rear edge of the hood panel from a normal operating position to an extended position and lowering the rear edge of the hood panel from the extended position to a locking position. The hood adjustment mechanism further includes a locking mechanism for locking the seurnament mechanism in the locking position.Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a pedestrian hood hinge that has the functionality of Patterson while separating the trip unit from the support unit and providing a support unit also capable of collapsing the hinge mechanism in the event of a pedestrian impact exceeding a certain impact load.SUMMARYIt is an object of the invention to specify a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge having a robust functionality and an improved pedestrian protection.The object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims, in particular of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.According to a first aspect, there is provided a pedestrian protection automotive hinge comprising a first hinge portion, a second hinge portion comprising first and second links secured together by a link pin, and wherein one of the first and second links has an opening adapted to releasably retain a releasable pin, first and second linkages spaced apart from each other and pivotally connected to the first hinge portion and the first link, respectively, the first and second linkages configured to allow movement of the first and second hinge portions relative to each other between a normal closed hood position and a normal open hood position, an actuator system comprising an actuator configured to engage the second element and move the second element relative to the first element in response to a collision input, a trigger assembly comprising a retainer disposed adjacent the opening, wherein the releasable pin is carried by the other of the one of the first and second members and the releasable pin is captured in the opening by the retainer in the normal closed position and the normal open position, and wherein the retainer is configured to release the releasable pin in response to the collision input, allowing the second member to pivot the member pin relative to the first member, wherein a retaining member is rotatably attached to the second member at a first end and comprises a retaining pin adjacent its second end and a positioning pin between the first end and the second end, wherein the positioning pin is configured to ride in a curved slot in the first member, To change the orientation of the retention member with respect to the second member as the second member pivots about the member pin relative to the first member, wherein the first hinge portion comprises a retention slot and a flexible retention clip attached thereto, wherein the retention clip comprises an open portion adjacent to a narrow channel having open ends, wherein the retention pin is configured to be aligned with the retention slot and bias the retention clip sufficiently to allow a portion of the retention pin to enter the open portion of the retention clip and thereby reverse the bias of the retention clip to allow the retention clip to rest next to the retention slot again, thereby inhibiting movement of the retention pin by the retention clip.In another embodiment of the pedestrian protection automotive hinge, the retainer clip is further configured to allow the retainer pin to enter the narrow open-ended channel when a further force is applied by the retainer pin against an increasing resistance of the retainer clip to allow movement of the first and second links relative to each other to a final position of the hood at the end of the collision.In another embodiment of the pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge, the holder comprises either a break-off clip or a latch.According to a further embodiment, the retention slot is tapered.According to a second aspect, a method of deploying a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a hinge comprising a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion comprising a first link and a second link secured together by a link pin, and wherein the first link or the second link has an opening adapted to releasably retain a releasable pin, wherein a first linkage and a second linkage spaced apart are each pivotally connected to the first hinge portion and the first link, and the first and second linkages are configured to allow movement of the first and second hinge portions relative to each other between a normal closed hood position and a normal open hood position, enable activation of an actuator in response to a collision input to engage the second member and move the second member relative to the first member, releasing a releasable pin from a retainer of a release assembly and from the aperture in response to the collision input to allow the second member to rotate about the member pin relative to the first member, moving a positioning pin disposed between the first end and the second end of a retaining member in a curved slot in the first member to change the orientation of the retaining member rotatably attached to the second member at a first end as the second member pivots about the member pin relative to the first member; aligning the retaining pin with a retaining slot; biasing a retaining clip sufficiently to allow a portion of the retaining pin to enter an open portion of the retaining clip; and resisting movement of the retaining pin across the retaining clip.According to one embodiment, the method further includes the step of allowing the retaining pin to enter a narrow channel having an open end in the retaining clip when further force is applied by the retaining pin against the resistance of the retaining clip until the retaining pin exits the open end of the narrow channel to allow movement of the first member and the second member relative to each other to a final hood end position.According to another aspect, a method of deploying a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge is provided. The method includes the steps of: activating an actuator in response to a collision input to propel a vehicle hood upward, releasing a releasable pin from a bracket in response to the actuator to allow a second member to pivot about an element pin relative to a first member, engaging a retaining pin in a retaining slot to restrict movement of the second member, and restricting the vehicle hood from further deflection in an open hood collision position until contact with a head of a pedestrian occurs.According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of engaging the second element with the actuator to initiate the triggering step.According to a further embodiment, the method further comprises a step of releasing the releasable pin using a breakable clip or a latch.According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing the retention slot that narrows to assist in deceleration of a vehicle hood.According to another aspect, a method of deploying a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge is provided. The method includes the steps of: activating an actuator in response to an impact input to propel a vehicle hood upward; engaging a retaining pin in a retaining slot while pivoting a second member about an element pin relative to a first member; and allowing the vehicle hood to spring back to a final open hood collision position by engaging the retaining pin with a retaining bracket and moving the retaining pin through and out of the retaining bracket.According to another aspect, a vehicle is provided that includes a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge.According to an embodiment, the vehicle further comprises a sensor configured to detect information indicative of a pedestrian collision and / or to communicate this information to the actuator of the actuator assembly of the pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge via a controller. The sensor can be connected to a control unit which is in turn connected to the actuator of the pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge.According to a further aspect, the use of a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge in a vehicle is provided.According to a further aspect, the use of a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge for absorbing a pedestrian impact and for providing pedestrian protection during a pedestrian impact of a vehicle is provided.These and other aspects will be apparent from and explained in the embodiments described below, taken in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe disclosure may be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the orientations of a motor vehicle hood in a normally closed, normally open and deployed state upon impact. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge in a configuration in which the hood is in a normal closed position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 2 from an opposite side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of portions of the hinge shown in FIG. 2, but in a position corresponding to the hood in a normal open position. FIG. 5 is a side view of portions of the hinge of FIG. 4 from an opposite side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an opposite side of the hinge of FIG. 2 in an initial hood collision position. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 2 in a first intermediate hood collision position. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of portions of the hinge of FIG. 7 from an opposite side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of portions of the hinge of FIG. 2 in a second intermediate hood collision position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 2 in a third intermediate hood collision position. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of portions of the hinge of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 2 in a fourth intermediate hood collision position. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 12 slightly later in its fourth intermediate hood collision position. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 2 in a final extended position after a hood collision.The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and drawings, including their various aspects or respective individual features, may be considered independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with an embodiment apply to all embodiments unless these features are incompatible.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA portion of a vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 10 includes a hood 16 that is supported relative to a body 14, which is a side wall of an engine compartment, by a hinge 12. The hood 16 is closed with respect to the body 14 in a position P 1 to provide a normal closed hood position. The hood 16 is opened to a fully open position P2 corresponding to a normal open hood position during a normal hinge operating condition of the hinge 12 to allow access to the engine compartment for maintenance.In a pedestrian impact, the hood 16 is partially raised to a position P 3 corresponding to a hood impact open position to better absorb the impact of the pedestrian and improve pedestrian protection.As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 12 includes a first hinge portion 18 that is attached to the body 14. A second hinge portion 20 is connected to the first hinge portion 18 by first and second linkages 22, 24 each having opposite ends secured to the first and second hinge portions 18, 20 by linkage pins 26 that allow these elements to pivot relative to one another.The second hinge portion 20 includes first and second members 28, 30 that move together in the normal hinge operating condition. The first and second members 28, 30 are connected by a member pin 32 to enable rotation of the second member 30 relative to the first member 28 in response to a pedestrian collision input.An actuator assembly 34 includes an actuator 36 in communication with a controller 38. A sensor 40 detects information indicative of a pedestrian impact or an imminent pedestrian impact with the vehicle front and transmits this information to the controller 38. When the controller 38 determines that it is desirable to partially raise the hood 16 from the position P 1 to the position P 3 to absorb a pedestrian impact, the actuator 36 is triggered by driving a portion of the actuator 36 upward to engage the second member 30, as indicated by the arrow F.The impact of the actuator 36 on the second member 30 causes a release assembly 42 to allow rotation of the second member 30 about the member pin 32 relative to the first member 28. As the hood 16 moves toward the position P 3, a retainer assembly 60 limits movement of the hood 16 to the position P 3 and then allows the hood to easily relax to absorb the pedestrian impact.As shown in FIGS. 2-12, the trip device 42 includes an opening or slot 44 provided in the second member 30. A retainer, which may take various forms, e.g., a latch (not shown) or frangible clip 46, is attached to the second member 30 and disposed in the opening or slot 44. A releasable pin 48 is secured to the first member 28 and extends through an opening in the clip 46. Since the release assembly does not restrict movement of the hood 16, the opening 44 is not required to be a slot having a terminal end to prevent the releasable pin from moving beyond a certain point.When the actuator 36 is triggered in response to the collision, the second member 30 is urged upwardly and breaks the plastic clip 46 at the frangible connections 54 which are weakened areas. The releasable pin 48 is no longer retained in the opening or slot 44 by the retainer or clip 46 in the open hood collision position.An alternative to using a frangible clip 44 is the use of a latch (not shown) that is triggered by the actuator 36 to release the releasable pin 48.The retainer assembly 60 is shown in more detail in Figs. 6-14. In one example, the retention assembly 60 includes a retention member 56 rotatably attached to the second member at a first end 58, with a retention pin 62 located at the second end 59. The retention member 56 further includes a locating pin 64 between the first end 58 and the second end 59. the locating pin 64 is configured to ride in a curved slot 66 in the first member 28 during a collision event. The locating pin 64 moves in an arc in the curved slot 66 to allow smooth and geometrically consistent movement of the retaining member 56. The orientation of the retaining member 56 with respect to the second member 30 changes as the second member 30 pivots about the member pin 32 with respect to the first member 28.The first hinge portion 18 includes a retaining slot 68 having an open end into which the retaining pin 62 is forced as the second member 30 rotates relative to the first member 28. Typically, the retention slot 68 is relatively rigid. A flexible retaining clip 70 is mounted adjacent the retaining slot 68 opposite the direction of entry of the retaining pin 62 into the retaining slot 68. The retainer clip is provided with an open portion 72 which is connected to a narrow open-ended channel 74.In the illustrated embodiment, upon entering the retention slot 68, the retention pin 62 contacts a rear of the retention clip 70 and forces the retention clip 70 away from the retention slot 68 until the retention pin 62 moves proximate the closed end of the retention slot 68. The retention slot 68 may taper to provide increased resistance to the shank of the retention pin 62 as the retention pin 62 moves from the open end of the retention slot 68 toward its closed end. At a particular point where the retaining clip 70 is biased away from the retaining pin 62, the retaining pin 62 meets and passes through the open portion 72 of the retaining clip 70. At this time of the hood impact, the hood 16 is at its maximum angle P3 with respect to the vehicle body. The retention pin 62 may rebound from the closed end of the retention slot 68, but remain within the open portion 72 of the retention clip 70 to maintain the hood 16 within a range of travel as the pedestrian moves toward contact with the hood 16. This controlled deceleration is desirable to prevent severe "hood flutter" and increased acceleration of pedestrian contact during pedestrian impact. Therefore, it is desirable to push the hood upwardly as quickly as possible and to bring it as smoothly as possible to a relatively stable position - all within about 30 ms.To reduce the impact of the pedestrian, it is advantageous to allow some rebound of the hood 16 when the pedestrian's head contacts the hood 16. During a rebound phase, the head of the pedestrian resting on the hood pushes the retention pin 62 back out of the retention slot. A front surface of the retainer clip 70, which is now in contact with the retainer pin 62, is configured to press against the retainer pin 62 when the retainer pin 62 is pressed by the open portion 72 into and through the open-ended narrow channel 74 of the retainer clip 70. Optionally, the retaining clip 70 may be angled between the portion including the open portion 72 and the portion including the open-ended narrow channel 74 to produce elastic deformation and increased resistance as the retaining pin 62 moves progressively along the open-ended narrow channel 74. As the retaining pin 62 exits the open-ended narrow channel 74, the hood is no longer retained by the retaining clip 70 and substantially floats.Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, these illustrations and descriptions are to be considered as illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and carried out by those skilled in the art of the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other entity may perform the functions of multiple elements recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference signs in the claims should not be understood as limiting the scope of application.

Claims

A pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) comprising: a first hinge portion (18); a second hinge portion (20) comprising a first member and a second member (28, 30) secured together by a member pin (32), and wherein the first member or second member (28, 30) has an opening (44) adapted to releasably retain a releasable pin (48); a first linkage and a second linkage (22, 24) spaced apart from each other and each pivotally connected to the first hinge portion (18) and the first member (28), wherein the first linkage and the second linkage (22, 24) are configured to allow movement of the first hinge portion (18) and the second hinge portion (20) relative to each other between a normal closed hood position (P1) and a normal open hood position (P2); an actuator assembly (34) comprising an actuator (36) configured to engage the second member (30) and move the second member with respect to the first member (28) in response to a collision input; a release assembly (42) comprising a retainer (46) disposed adjacent the opening (44), wherein the releasable pin (48) is carried by the other of the first member or the second member (28, 30) and the releasable pin is captured in the opening by the retainer in the normally closed position and the normally open position, and wherein the retainer is configured to release the releasable pin in response to the collision input, allowing the second member to rotate about the element pin (32) relative to the first member (28); a retaining member (56) rotatably mounted to the second member (30) at a first end (58) and having a retaining pin (62) adjacent its second end (59) and a fixing pin (64) between a first end (58) and a second end (59); wherein the fixing pin (64) is configured to ride in a curved slot (66) in the first member (28) to change an orientation of the retaining member (56) with respect to the second member (30) as the second member (30) pivots about the member pin (32) relative to the first member (28); wherein the first hinge portion (18) comprises a retaining slot (68) and a flexible retaining clip (70) mounted thereto, the retaining clip comprising an open portion (72) adjacent an open-ended narrow channel (74); the retaining pin (62) is configured to conform to the retaining slot (68) and bias the retaining clip (70) sufficiently to allow a portion of the retaining pin (62) to enter the open portion of the retaining clip (70) and thereby reverse the bias of the retaining clip (70) to allow the retaining clip (70) to rest again adjacent the retaining slot (68), thereby resisting movement of the retaining pin (62) by the retaining clip (70).The pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) of claim 1, wherein the retaining clip (70) is further configured to allow the retaining pin (62) to enter the open-ended narrow channel (74) when a further force is applied by the retaining pin (62) against the resistance of the retaining clip (70) until the retaining pin (62) exits an open end of the narrow channel (74) to allow movement of the first and second members (28, 30) relative to each other to a final hood end position.The pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) of claim 1, wherein the bracket (46) comprises one of a breakaway clip and a latch.The pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) of claim 1, wherein the retention slot (68) is tapered.A method of deploying a pedestrian protection automotive hinge (12) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hinge comprising a first hinge portion (18) and a second hinge portion (20) comprising a first member and a second member (28, 30) fastened together by a member pin (32), and wherein the first member or the second member has an opening (44) adapted to releasably retain a releasable pin (48); wherein a first linkage and a second linkage (22, 24) spaced apart from each other are pivotally connected to the first hinge portion (18) and the first member (28), respectively, and the first and second linkages are configured to allow movement of the first and second hinge portions (18, 20) relative to each other between a normal closed hood position (P1) and a normal open hood position (P2); activating an actuator (36) in response to a collision input to engage the second member (30) and move the second member relative to the first member (28); releasing a releasable pin (48) from a bracket (46) of a release assembly (42) and from the aperture (44) in response to the collision input to allow the second member (30) to rotate about the member pin (32) relative to the first member (28); moving a fixing pin (64) disposed between a first end (58) and a second end (59) of a retaining member (56) in a curved slot (66) in the first member (28) to change an orientation of the retaining member rotatably attached to the second member (30) at the first end (58) as the second member (30) pivots about the member pin (32) relative to the first member (28); registering a retaining pin (62) with a retaining slot (68); biasing a retaining clip (70) sufficiently to allow a portion of the retaining pin (62) to enter an open portion (72) of the retaining clip (70); and resisting movement of the retaining pin (62) over the retaining clip (70).The method of claim 5, further comprising allowing the retention pin (62) to enter an open-ended narrow channel (74) in the retention bracket (70) when a further force is applied by the retention pin (62) against the resistance of the retention bracket (70) until the retention pin (62) exits the open end of the narrow channel (74) to allow movement of the first member and the second member (28, 30) relative to each other to a final hood end position.The method of claim 5 for deploying a pedestrian protection automotive hinge (12) of any of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising the steps of: activating an actuator (36) in response to a collision constraint to propel a vehicle hood (16) upward; releasing a releasable pin (48) from a bracket (46) in response to the actuator to allow a second member (30) to pivot relative to a first member (28) about an member pin (32); engaging a retaining pin (62) in a retaining slot (68) to limit movement of the second member (30); and limiting the vehicle hood (16) against further deflection in a hood collision open position (P3) until contact with a head of a pedestrian exists.The method of claim 7, comprising a step of engaging the second member (30) with the actuator (36) to initiate the releasing step.The method of claim 7, comprising a step of releasing the releasable pin (48) using a breakaway clip or a latch.The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of providing the retention slot (68) that narrows to assist in deceleration of the vehicle hood (16).The method of claim 5 for deploying a pedestrian protection automotive hinge (12) of any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, the method comprising the steps of: activating an actuator (36) in response to an impact input to propel a vehicle hood (16) upward; engaging a retention pin (62) in a retention slot (68) while pivoting a second member (30) about a member pin (32) relative to a first member (28); and allowing the vehicle hood (16) to spring back to a final open hood collision position (P3) by engaging the retention pin (62) with a retention bracket (46) and moving the retention pin through and out of the retention bracket.A vehicle (10) comprising a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.The vehicle (10) of claim 12, further comprising: a sensor (40) configured to acquire information indicative of a pedestrian collision and / or to communicate this information to the actuator (36) of the actuator assembly (34) of the pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) via a controller (38).Use of a pedestrian protection motor vehicle hinge (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4 for absorbing a pedestrian impact and for providing pedestrian protection during a pedestrian impact of a vehicle (10).

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