Pop-up hood device

Abstract

This technology allows for a lower position of the cylinder tip while not affecting the manufacturing process of the pop-up hood device. [Solution] The pop-up hood device comprises an actuator and a bracket for fixing the actuator to the vehicle body of the moving vehicle. The actuator comprises a cylinder to be fixed to the vehicle body via the bracket and a piston portion housed within the cylinder. The bracket comprises a first member to be fixed to the cylinder and a second member to be fixed to the vehicle body. The first member comprises a first connecting portion extending away from the cylinder. The second member comprises a second connecting portion to be connected to the first connecting portion, a fixed portion to be fixed to the vehicle body, and an arm portion connected to the second connecting portion and the fixed portion, and extending from the second connecting portion in the direction of projection from which the piston portion protrudes from the cylinder when the second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pop-up hood device.

Background Art

[0002] The pop-up hood device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an actuator disposed in an engine room for lifting the hood. The actuator has a cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder, and a gas generator provided at the lower end of the cylinder. The actuator is fixed in the engine room using a bracket. The bracket includes a mounting portion for attaching the bracket to the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For the purpose of making the appearance beautiful, a design with a lower hood height may be adopted for a vehicle. In such a vehicle, it is necessary to lower the mounting position of the actuator disposed in the engine room. For example, it is conceivable to change the shape of the bracket described in Patent Document 1 and arrange the mounting portion for attaching the bracket to the vehicle body at a position higher than the upper end of the cylinder.

[0005] However, when manufacturing a pop-up hood device, a bracket is first welded to the cylinder. Then, a piston and other components are housed in the cylinder. Furthermore, a crimping process is carried out near the opening of the cylinder to prevent the piston from popping out of the cylinder. As a result, the piston is prevented from popping out of the cylinder when the pop-up hood device is in operation. In an embodiment in which the bracket is configured so that the mounting portion of the bracket is positioned higher than the upper end of the cylinder, a problem is anticipated in that the cylinder cannot be crimped because a part of the bracket interferes with the crimping blade used to crimp the cylinder.

[0006] Therefore, there was a need for a technology that could meet the requirement of lowering the position of the cylinder tip without affecting the manufacturing process of the pop-up hood device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This disclosure can be implemented in the following forms:

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pop-up hood device is provided. The pop-up hood device comprises an actuator for lifting the front hood of a mobile body, and a bracket for fixing the actuator to the vehicle body of the mobile body. The actuator comprises a cylinder to be fixed to the vehicle body via the bracket, and a piston portion housed within the cylinder. The bracket comprises a first member to be fixed to the cylinder, and a second member to be fixed to the vehicle body. The first member comprises a first connecting portion extending away from the cylinder. The second member comprises a second connecting portion to be connected to the first connecting portion, a fixing portion to be fixed to the vehicle body, and an arm portion connected to the second connecting portion and the fixing portion, and extending from the second connecting portion in a protruding direction from which the piston portion protrudes from the cylinder when the second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion. In this embodiment, with the first member of the bracket attached to the cylinder and the second member not connected to the first member, one end of the cylinder housing the piston and the like can be crimped with a tool. Subsequently, by connecting the first connection part of the first member and the second connection part of the second member, the cylinder can be fixed to the vehicle body. As a result, the pop-up hood is attached to the vehicle body. Compared to the embodiment in which the second member does not have an arm, the fixing part that is fixed to the vehicle body by the arm of the second member can be positioned further away from the cylinder. As a result, the cylinder is positioned further away from the front hood. Compared to the embodiment in which the second member does not have an arm, the fixing part that is fixed to the vehicle body by the arm of the second member can be positioned further away from the cylinder. As a result, the cylinder is positioned further away from the front hood.

[0009] In the pop-up hood device of the above configuration, an opening is formed in the arm portion. The signal line harness, which is connected to the bottom of the cylinder and arranged from the bottom of the cylinder along the side of the cylinder toward the fixing portion, may pass through the opening and be arranged in a direction different from the direction along the side of the cylinder. According to the above configuration, the signal harness can be engaged with the arm by passing the harness through the opening formed in the arm. The pop-up hood device is located in the limited space within the engine compartment. By engaging the signal harness with the arm, the signal harness can be routed in a way that prevents it from spreading unnecessarily.

[0010] In the pop-up hood device of the above configuration, the arm portion comprises a first plate portion connected to the second connecting portion and extending in the protruding direction, and a second plate portion extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction and connected to the fixing portion. The opening may be formed in the first plate portion.

[0011] In the pop-up hood device of the above form, the first connection part and the second connection part may be connected using screws. In the pop-up hood device of the above configuration, the first member and the second member can be fixed together by screw fastening, making it easier to fix the first member and the second member compared to methods of connection such as welding or adhesive bonding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a pop-up hood device. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external shape of the pop-up hood device. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the pop-up hood device viewed from a different angle. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the pop-up hood device is fixed to the vehicle body. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of the pop-up hood device viewed from a different angle. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the second member is not connected to the first member. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the manufacturing method of a pop-up hood device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A. Embodiments: A1. Configuration of the pop-up hood device: Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a vehicle 400 equipped with the pop-up hood device 10 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the vertically upward direction Du, the front of the vehicle 400 Df, the rear of the vehicle 400 Db, and the outward direction Do are indicated. The outward direction is the direction from right to left as viewed from the perspective of an occupant sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle 400. Although not shown in Figure 1, the vertically downward direction Dd of the vehicle is in the opposite direction to the vertically upward direction Du. The vehicle 400 is a vehicle equipped with an engine, a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), an electric vehicle (Battery Electric Vehicle: BEV), a fuel cell vehicle (FC), etc. The vehicle 400 is also called a "mobile body". The pop-up hood device 10 raises the front hood 410 when a collision with a pedestrian is detected or predicted by a sensor mounted on the vehicle 400. This is to suppress the impact on the pedestrian. Figure 1 shows the state in which the pop-up hood device 10 is activated and the front hood 410 is raised.

[0014] Vehicle 400 has a rear-hinged front hood 410 that opens forward of the vehicle 400. The rear-hinged type is also called an alligator type. The front hood is sometimes called a bonnet or bonnet hood. A pair of pop-up hood devices 10 are located at the rear of the engine compartment 420 of the vehicle 400. The engine compartment 420 is the space that houses the engine of the vehicle 400. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the engine compartment 420 is located in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 400. When the power source of the vehicle 400 is a motor, the engine compartment 420 is sometimes called a motor compartment. The engine compartment 420 is sometimes called an engine compartment or motor compartment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the external shape of the pop-up hood device 10. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the external shape of the pop-up hood device 10 when viewed from another angle. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the state in which the pop-up hood device 10 is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the state of the pop-up hood device 10 fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400 when viewed from another angle.

[0016] The pop-up hood device 10 includes an actuator 100 and a bracket 200. As shown in FIG. 1, when the actuator 100 operates, it lifts the front hood 410. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket 200 is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400 in order to dispose the actuator 100 in the engine room 420 of the vehicle 400. In the present embodiment, the pop-up hood device 10 is fixed to the body structure in the engine room of the vehicle 400. More specifically, the bracket 200 fixes the corresponding actuator 100 to the left or right front inside panel of the vehicle 400. In the following description, the pop-up hood device 10 fixed to the left front inside panel of the vehicle 400 will be described as an example.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 100 includes a cylinder 110, a piston 12 p>

[0018] The bracket 200 includes a first member 210, a second member 220, and a fastening member 230. Each of the first member 210 and the second member 220 is manufactured, for example, by processing a plate-like member made of metal. The fastening member 230 includes screws 231 and 232. The screws 231 and 232 are used to fix the first member 210 and the second member 220.

[0019] The first member 210 includes a first connection portion 211 and a first fixing portion 212.

[0020] The first connection portion 211 is a portion that is connected to the second connection portion 221 of the second member 220 described later. An opening H1 is formed in the first connection portion 211. A cylinder 110 is passed through the opening H1. The cylinder 110 is fixed to the first member 210 by welding. In this way, the first connection portion 211 supports the cylinder 110. With the cylinder 110 fixed to the first member 210, the first connection portion 211 extends in a direction away from the cylinder 110. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the pop-up hood device 10 fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400, the first connection portion 211 extends toward the rear Db.

[0021] The first fixing portion 212 is a portion that is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400. The first fixing portion 212 is connected to the first connection portion 211. With the cylinder 110 fixed to the first member 210, the first fixing portion 212 extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first connection portion 211 extends. With the pop-up hood device 10 fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400, the first fixing portion 212 extends toward the rear Db. As shown in FIG. 2, a screw hole SH3 is formed in the first fixing portion 212. The screw hole SH3 is used to fix the bracket 200 to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400.

[0022] The second member 220 includes a second connection portion 221, a second fixing portion 222, an arm portion 223, and a guide portion 224. The second fixing portion 222 is also referred to as a "fixing portion".

[0023] The second connection portion 221 is a portion that is connected to the first connection portion 211 of the first member 210. The second fixing portion 222 is a portion that is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the pop-up hood device 10 fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400, the second fixing portion 222 extends toward the front Df. As shown in FIG. 2, a screw hole SH4 is formed in the second fixing portion 222. The screw hole SH4 is used to fix the bracket 200 to the vehicle body of the vehicle 400.

[0024] The arm portion 223 is the part that connects the second connecting portion 221 and the second fixing portion 222. The arm portion 223 is positioned between the second connecting portion 221 and the second fixing portion 222. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the pop-up hood device 10 is fixed to the body of the vehicle 400, the arm portion 223 extends forward towards Df. The arm portion 223 includes a first plate portion 223a and a second plate portion 223b connected to the first plate portion 223a. When the second connecting portion 221 is connected to the first connecting portion 211, the arm portion 223 extends from the second connecting portion 221 in the protruding direction, which is the direction in which the piston 120 protrudes from the cylinder 110. The first plate portion 223a is connected to the second connecting portion 221. When the second connecting portion 221 is connected to the first connecting portion 211, the first plate portion 223a is positioned closer to the cylinder 110 than the second plate portion 223b. The first plate portion 223a extends in the protruding direction. The second plate portion 223b extends in a direction intersecting the protruding direction. The second plate portion 223b connects the first plate portion 223a and the second fixing portion 222. The inclination of the direction in which the first plate portion 223a extends with respect to the protruding direction is not particularly limited, but preferably the inclination of the direction in which the first plate portion 223a extends with respect to the protruding direction is in the range of plus or minus 20 degrees. More preferably the inclination of the direction in which the first plate portion 223a extends with respect to the protruding direction is in the range of plus or minus 10 degrees.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, with the second connecting portion 221 connected to the first connecting portion 211, the first plate portion 223a of the arm portion 223 extends from the second connecting portion 221 in the protruding direction, which is the direction in which the piston 120 protrudes from the cylinder 110. Therefore, compared to the configuration without the arm portion 223, the positions of the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 can be lowered compared to the second fixing portion 222. As a result, the position of the tip of the cylinder 110 can be lowered.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, when the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 are arranged parallel to the horizontal plane, the first fixing portion 212 will be positioned lower than the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 in a side view. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the cylinder 110 is tilted so that the upper part of the cylinder 110 faces forward Df of the vehicle 400 in a side view. Therefore, the position of the tip of the cylinder 110 can be lowered, and the cylinder 110 can be positioned farther away from the front hood 410.

[0027] An opening H2 is formed in the arm portion 223. The opening H2 is formed by cutting a notch in the first plate portion 223a. As will be described in detail later, the opening H2 is used to guide the harness HN connected to the actuator 100. The harness HN is also called the "signal line harness".

[0028] The guide portion 224 is the part that guides the harness HN connected to the actuator 100. The guide portion 224 is connected to the second fixing portion 222. The guide portion 224 is positioned approximately perpendicular to the second fixing portion 222. An opening H3 is formed in the guide portion 224. As will be described in detail later, the opening H3 is used to fix the harness HN to the bracket 200.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a harness HN connected to the bottom of the cylinder 110 of the actuator 100 passes through the opening H2. The harness HN is a signal line for sending a signal to the gas generator 140 to activate it. The harness HN is connected to an ECU (Electrical Control Unit) (not shown) in the vehicle 400. When a collision with a pedestrian is detected or predicted by a sensor (not shown) in the vehicle 400, a signal to activate the gas generator 140 is sent from the ECU to the gas generator 140 via the harness HN.

[0030] The harness HN extends from the bottom of the cylinder 110 and is fixed to the cylinder 110 by a mounting fixture F2. Therefore, a portion of the harness HN extends along the side of the cylinder 110. Furthermore, the harness HN extends toward the second fixing portion 222. The harness HN is passed through the opening H2. Therefore, a portion of the harness HN engages with the arm portion 223. The harness HN extends toward the outward direction Do along the first plate portion 223a of the arm portion 223. Therefore, the direction in which the harness HN extends is changed from along the side of the cylinder 110 to the outward direction Do. A portion of the harness HN is fixed to the guide portion 224 by the engagement of the mounting fixture F1 attached to the harness HN with the opening H3 formed in the guide portion 224. Therefore, the direction in which the harness HN extends is changed from the outward direction Do to the forward direction Df. The pop-up hood device 10 is located in the limited space within the engine compartment 420. By arranging the harness HN along the cylinder 110 and bracket 200 of the actuator 100, the harness HN can be routed without unnecessarily spreading out.

[0031] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the pop-up hood device 10 in a state where the second member 220 is not connected to the first member 210. The first connection part 211 has screw holes SH1 and SH2, and openings PH1 and PH2 formed therein. The second connection part 221 has screw holes SH11 and SH12, and openings PH11 and PH12 formed therein. Hereinafter, screw holes SH1, SH2, SH11, and SH12 may be collectively referred to as screw hole SH. When the second connection part 221 is superimposed on the first connection part 211, screw holes SH1 and SH11 are formed in corresponding positions to each other. When the second connection part 221 is superimposed on the first connection part 211, screw holes SH2 and SH12 are formed in corresponding positions to each other. The screw 231 is passed through the screw hole SH11 formed in the second connection part 221 and the screw hole SH1 formed in the first connection part 211. The screw 232 is passed through the screw hole SH12 formed in the second connecting portion 221 and the screw hole SH2 formed in the first connecting portion 211. Thus, the second connecting portion 221 is fixed to the first connecting portion 211.

[0032] Openings PH1, PH2, PH11, and PH12 are used for positioning. Hereinafter, openings PH1, PH2, PH11, and PH12 may be collectively referred to as opening PH. When the second connecting part 221 is superimposed on the first connecting part 211, openings PH1 and PH11 are formed in corresponding positions. When the second connecting part 221 is superimposed on the first connecting part 211, openings PH2 and PH12 are formed in corresponding positions. When the worker connects the second connecting part 221 to the first connecting part 211, the worker aligns the positions of screw holes SH1 and SH11, screw holes SH2 and SH12, and also aligns the positions of openings PH1 and PH11, and openings PH2 and PH12. In this way, the correct position of the second connecting part 221 relative to the first connecting part 211 is defined.

[0033] A2. Method for manufacturing a pop-up food device: The manufacturing method of the pop-up hood device 10 will be described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 7, in step S101, the worker welds the opening end of the opening H1 of the first member 210 to the side of the cylinder 110 with the cylinder 110 passed through the opening H1 (see Figure 6). The first member 210 is fixed to the cylinder 110 by welding. As shown in Figure 7, in step S102, the worker houses the gas generator 140 and the piston 120 inside the cylinder 110 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 7, in step S103, the worker rivets the vicinity of the upper end of the cylinder 110 with a tool not shown. As shown in Figure 6, the position of arrow A1 is riveted along the entire circumference of the cylinder 110.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, in step S104, the worker fixes the second member 220 to the first member 210 with screws. Specifically, first, the worker positions the second member 220 so that the corresponding screw holes SH and corresponding openings PH overlap, with the second connecting portion 221 of the second member 220 overlapping the first connecting portion 211 of the first member 210. Next, the worker inserts the screw 231 into the screw holes SH11 and SH1. Furthermore, the worker inserts the screw 232 into the screw holes SH12 and SH2. This fixes the second member 220 to the first member 210. Methods for connecting two members include screwing, welding, and adhesive. In this embodiment, since the second member 220 is fixed to the first member 210 by screwing, it is easier to fix the second member to the first member compared to methods of connection such as welding or adhesive.

[0035] In step S105, the worker positions the harness HN. Specifically, the worker connects one end of the harness HN to the gas generator 140 housed inside the cylinder 110 through an opening (not shown) provided at the bottom of the cylinder 110. Next, the worker secures the harness HN to the cylinder 110 using a mounting bracket F2. Furthermore, the worker passes the harness HN through an opening H2 provided in the arm portion 223 and engages the mounting bracket F1 provided on the harness HN with the opening H3 of the guide portion 224. The above is the sequence of steps for manufacturing the pop-up hood device 10.

[0036] A3. How to install a pop-up food dispenser: Next, the installation method for the pop-up hood device 10 will be explained. The worker fixes the first fixing part 212 and the second fixing part 222 to the vehicle body with screws B1 and B2 (see Figures 4 and 5). Thus, the pop-up hood device 10 is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0037] As described above, in the pop-up hood device 10 of this embodiment, the first member 210 of the bracket 200 can be attached to the cylinder 110, while the second member 220 is not connected to the first member 210. In this state, the area near the upper end of the cylinder 110, which houses the piston 120, can be crimped with a tool. Therefore, interference between the second member 220, which is part of the bracket 200, and the crimping blade can be avoided.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the arm portion 223 is configured such that, in the vertical direction, the position of the second fixing portion 222 is close to the position of the upper end of the cylinder 110. If the bracket 200 is made of a single member, the tool will interfere with the portion corresponding to the arm portion 223 during the process of crimping the cylinder 110. In this embodiment, the bracket 200 is made of a first member 210 and a second member 220. Therefore, interference of the arm portion 223 with the tool during the process of crimping the cylinder 110 can be avoided. By having the arm portion 223 on the second member 220, the second fixing portion 222, which is fixed to the body of the vehicle 400, can be positioned further from the cylinder 110 than the second connecting portion 221, compared to the configuration in which the second member 220 does not have the arm portion 223. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the position of the tip of the cylinder 110 can be lowered, and the cylinder 110 can be positioned further away from the front hood 410.

[0039] In this way, the requirement to lower the position of the tip of the cylinder 110 can be met while avoiding affecting the manufacturing process of the pop-up hood. Note that positioning the second fixing part 222 further from the cylinder 110 than the second connecting part 221 means that the part of the second fixing part 222 closest to the cylinder 110 is further from the cylinder 110 than the part of the second connecting part 221 closest to the cylinder 110.

[0040] B. Other embodiments: (B1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which an opening H2 is formed in the first plate portion 223a of the arm portion 223, but an opening H2 does not have to be formed in the arm portion 223. Also, the position in which the opening H2 is formed can be arbitrary. For example, the opening may be formed in the second plate portion 223b of the arm portion 223.

[0041] (B2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the second member 220 is fixed to the first member 210 using screws 231 and 232, but the second member 220 may be fixed to the first member 210 by welding, adhesive, etc.

[0042] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 10...Pop-up hood device, 100...Actuator, 110...Cylinder, 120...Piston, 120T...Tip, 140...Gas generator, 200...Bracket, 210...First member, 211...First connection part, 212...First fixing part, 220...Second member, 221...Second connection part, 222...Second fixing part, 223...Arm part, 223a...First plate part, 223b...Second plate part, 224...Proposal Internal, 230…Fastening member, 231,232…Screw, 400…Vehicle, 410…Front hood, A1…Arrow, B1,B2…Screw, Db…Rear, Df…Front, Do…Outward direction of vehicle, Du…Vertical upward, F1,F2…Mounting fixture, H1,H2,H3…Opening, HN…Harness, PH1,PH2,PH11,PH12…Opening, SH1,SH2,SH3,SH4,SH11,SH12…Screw hole

Claims

1. A pop-up hood device, An actuator that lifts the front hood of the mobile unit, A bracket for fixing the actuator to the vehicle body of the moving body, Equipped with, The actuator is A cylinder to be fixed to the vehicle body via the bracket, The cylinder comprises a piston portion housed within the cylinder, The bracket comprises a first member fixed to the cylinder and a second member to be fixed to the vehicle body. The first member includes a first connecting portion extending away from the cylinder, The second member is, A second connecting part to be connected to the first connecting part, A fixing part to be fixed to the vehicle body, An arm portion is connected to the second connecting portion and the fixed portion, and when the second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion, the arm portion extends from the second connecting portion in the direction of projection from which the piston portion protrudes from the cylinder, Equipped with, Pop-up hood device.

2. A pop-up hood device according to claim 1, An opening is formed in the aforementioned arm portion. The signal line harness, connected to the bottom of the cylinder and arranged from the bottom of the cylinder along the side of the cylinder toward the fixing part, passes through the opening and is arranged in a direction different from the direction along the side of the cylinder. Pop-up hood device.

3. A pop-up hood device according to claim 2, The arm portion comprises a first plate portion connected to the second connecting portion and extending in the protruding direction, and a second plate portion extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction and connected to the fixing portion. The opening is formed in the first plate portion. Pop-up hood device.

4. A pop-up hood device according to claim 3, The first connection part and the second connection part are connected using screws. Pop-up hood device.

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