A bonnet system that enables predictable triggers for pedestrian protection.

Abstract

We disclose a bonnet system that enables predictable triggers for pedestrian protection. [Solution] The system includes a vehicle body connecting member, a hood connecting member, a connecting member and a gasket, the connecting member integrally connecting the vehicle body connecting member, the gasket and the hood connecting member and rotating the hood connecting member around the vehicle body connecting member, and further includes a release reset mechanism, a hood pop-up mechanism and a vibration damping mechanism attached to the hood connecting member, and a control mechanism for controlling the unlocking and resetting of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism, the control mechanism including an integrated controller and a separate controller, the vibration damping mechanism limits the lateral displacement of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism, and the system enables easy resetting and locking of the hood hinge by control of the controller and prevents damage to the hinge body when accidentally triggered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automotive components, and specifically, it is a bonnet system that realizes a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection.

Background Art

[0002] A pedestrian protection hinge is a safety device attached to the engine room cover of an automobile. When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, it mainly uses a specific mechanical or electronic trigger mechanism to flip up the engine room cover to a certain height, thereby reducing the injury to the pedestrian. It is an important component of the passive safety system of modern automobiles.

[0003] The pedestrian protection hinge has the functions of buffering and energy absorption. When a collision occurs, the hinge is triggered to flip up the rear part of the engine room cover, forming a buffer space to avoid the pedestrian's head directly colliding with the hard engine member. The pedestrian protection hinge further has the function of reducing head injuries. By increasing the deformation distance and extending the collision time, the impact force received by the head is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of serious injury or fatality.

[0004] In the current market, for a bonnet assembly with active pedestrian protection, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper of the vehicle, the pedestrian protection system starts to operate and completes the flipping up of the rear end of the bonnet within 150 - 200 ms. When the pedestrian's head collides with the rear end of the bonnet, it is ensured that the bonnet has already flipped up to a predetermined position, and a buffer space is formed when the pedestrian's head collides with the rear end of the bonnet to reduce the injury to the pedestrian's head caused by the collision. However, during driving on a bumpy road surface or in a minor collision (such as a low-speed rear-end collision), there is a possibility of causing accidental flipping up of the cover due to vibration or incorrect determination of the sensor, increasing the maintenance cost.

[0005] The aforementioned method has the following main drawbacks: 1. The hood may not be able to open quickly enough, potentially causing residual energy to be lost and potentially leading to secondary head injuries to pedestrians; 2. After the pedestrian protection system is triggered, the vehicle must be quickly transported to a maintenance shop, rendering it unusable; 3. After the pedestrian protection system is accidentally triggered, the entire hinge assembly usually needs to be replaced, and in some models, the cover or sensor may need to be replaced simultaneously, resulting in high maintenance costs; 4. Conventional triggers are gunpowder-based and not environmentally friendly; 5. The protection range of conventional pedestrian protection hinges is limited, mainly dealing with adult heads hitting the covered area, with less protection against children (hitting the windshield) or high-speed collisions; 6. Conventional electronically triggered hinges may fail due to sensor malfunctions, and mechanical hinges may lack response accuracy and durability.

[0006] For example, the active pedestrian protection hood hinge system and vehicle disclosed in Chinese Patent CN213831609 includes a sensor that monitors and transmits road condition information, a controller that is connected to the sensor and receives road condition information and transmits control commands, an actuator that is connected to the controller and receives control commands and performs an action, and a hinge assembly to which both the actuator and the hood are connected, which drives the hood to flip up or to reset the hood based on the actions performed by the actuator. The active pedestrian protection hood hinge system and vehicle is a safety protection system that reduces head injuries to pedestrians after a collision and reduces serious injury and death. However, once the active pedestrian protection hood hinge system is triggered, the vehicle becomes unusable and must be transported to a maintenance shop as soon as possible, and since the flip-up function has already been released, the hinge and related components such as the pyro actuator need to be replaced, and the replacement cost is relatively high.

[0007] Therefore, pedestrian protection hinge control mechanisms are an important technology in the safety design of automobiles, and can effectively reduce problems such as false triggers and high maintenance costs. In the future, with the development of materials science and smart sensing technology, it is expected that their reliability and protective effects will be further improved. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] To address the shortcomings of conventional technology, the present invention provides a bonnet system that enables predictable triggering for pedestrian protection, allows for easy resetting and locking of the bonnet hinges via controller control, and prevents damage to the hinge body in the event of accidental triggering. Furthermore, it ensures operational stability and reliability, while simultaneously achieving high product reusability, improving environmental protection, and reducing or saving on maintenance costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the bonnet system for realizing the predictable trigger of pedestrian protection according to the present invention includes a body connection member, a bonnet connection member, a connection member and a gasket, wherein the connection member integrally connects the body connection member, the gasket and the bonnet connection member and rotates the bonnet connection member about the body connection member, further including a release reset mechanism, a hood pop-up mechanism and a vibration damping mechanism attached to the bonnet connection member, and a control mechanism for controlling the unlocking and resetting of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism, wherein the control mechanism includes an integrated controller and a separate controller, and the vibration damping mechanism limits the lateral displacement of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the release reset mechanism includes a vehicle cover connecting member, a rotating member, a release end pull wire, a pull wire fixing member, a ratchet, a rivet shaft A, a torsion spring A, a latch, a locking lever, a rivet shaft B, a torsion spring B, a bonnet connecting end pull wire, and a pull wire head. One end of the vehicle cover connecting member is connected to the bonnet connecting member by a rotating member, and the vehicle cover connecting member rotates relative to the bonnet connecting member under the action of the rotating member, thereby engaging the lock lever in the groove of the latch or disengaging it from the groove of the latch. Torsion spring A is fitted onto the ratchet, and the ratchet is connected to the bonnet connecting member by rivet shaft A, causing the ratchet to rotate around rivet shaft A. Torsion spring B is fitted onto the latch, and the latch is connected to the bonnet connecting member by rivet shaft B, causing the latch to rotate around rivet shaft B. The aforementioned open end pull wire and bonnet connecting end pull wire are drilled within the pull wire fixing member, and the pull wire fixing member is fixed on the bonnet connecting member by a locking mechanism. One end of the release end pull wire is connected to a control mechanism, and the other end of the release end pull wire is tightened to a ratchet after passing through a pull wire fixing member. By controlling the ratchet to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet axis A, the lock lever is released from the groove of the latch. One end of the bonnet connection end pull wire is connected to a control mechanism, and the other end of the bonnet connection end pull wire is fastened to the pull wire head, thereby controlling the latch to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet axis B, and engaging the lock lever in the groove of the latch.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lock lever is fixed to the vehicle cover connecting member by a riveting process.

[0012] When the driver receives the pop-up signal, the released end pull wire passes through the pull wire fixing member and is then tightened onto the ratchet, controlling the ratchet to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet axis A. The ratchet rotates counterclockwise around the rivet axis A, disengaging the lock lever from the latch groove. The lock lever then loses positional control by the latch and allows the vehicle cover connecting member to move upward in the Z direction. The positional limiting pin limits the rotation angle of the front link member, resulting in a lift of the vehicle cover connecting member to a height H in the Z direction.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hood pop-up mechanism includes a front link member, a rear link member, a rivet shaft C, a rivet shaft D, a rivet shaft E, a rivet shaft F, a torsion spring C, a torsion spring D, a torsion spring E, and a torsion spring F. One end of the front link member is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member by a rivet shaft C, and the torsion spring C is fitted onto the rivet shaft C, with both ends of the torsion spring C contacting the vehicle cover connecting member and the front link member, respectively, thereby causing the vehicle cover connecting member and the front link member to rotate around the rivet shaft C. The other end of the front link member is riveted to the bonnet connecting member by a rivet shaft D, and the torsion spring D is fitted onto the rivet shaft D, and both ends of the torsion spring D abut against the front link member and the bonnet connecting member, respectively, thereby causing the bonnet connecting member and the front link member to rotate around the rivet shaft D. One end of the rear link member is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member by a rivet shaft E, and the torsion spring E is fitted onto the rivet shaft E, and both ends of the torsion spring E abut against the rear link member and the vehicle cover connecting member, respectively, thereby causing the rear link member and the vehicle cover connecting member to rotate about the rivet shaft E. The other end of the rear link member is riveted to the bonnet connecting member by a rivet shaft F, and the torsion spring F is fitted onto the rivet shaft F, with both ends of the torsion spring F contacting the rear link member and the bonnet connecting member, respectively, thereby causing the rear link member and the bonnet connecting member to rotate about the rivet shaft F.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integrated controller is installed in pairs and arranged symmetrically, and the integrated controller includes an actuator housing, a base, a reset pull wire end, an unlock pull wire end, a reel, a microswitch, and a motor, the microswitch and motor being mounted on the base, the reel and motor being connected and fixed above the motor by spline fitting, the reel being provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stopper and a lower stopper located on the upper wire rope groove and the lower wire rope groove, the pull wire ropes wound in the upper and lower wire rope grooves being connected to the reset pull wire end and the unlock pull wire end, respectively, and the actuator housing sealing the reel on the base using a sealing ring. The upper and lower stoppers each have holes, and the reset pull wire rivet head and unlock pull wire rivet head drilled in the wire rope contact the upper and lower stoppers, respectively. When the lower stopper on the reel is driven to move the pull wire connected to the unlock pull wire rivet head, the reset pull wire rivet head moves freely into the upper wire rope groove on the reel. Conversely, when the upper stopper on the reel is driven to move the pull wire connected to the reset pull wire rivet head, the unlock pull wire rivet head moves freely into the lower wire rope groove on the reel. By pulling the release end pull wire with the unlock end pull wire, the ratchet connected to the release end pull wire is rotated counterclockwise around rivet axis A, thereby disengaging the latch and ratchet, and finally disengaging the lock lever from the latch groove. After the lock lever loses its positional control by the latch, it simultaneously releases torsion springs C, D, E, and F, and then releases its accumulated strain energy to the vehicle cover connecting member, unlocking and opening the hood. After the reset pull wire end pulls the bonnet connection end pull wire, the pull wire head is driven to pull towards the bonnet connection end pull wire, thereby moving the lock lever fixed to the vehicle cover connection member downwards. The lock lever then contacts the latch and drives the latch to rotate around rivet axis B until the latch contacts the ratchet. The ratchet is then driven to rotate around rivet axis A until the latch contacts the ratchet and enters a locked state, thereby relocking and resetting the vehicle cover connection member and the bonnet connection member.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reel pulls either the reset pull wire end or the unlock pull wire end by a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational drive of a motor, the reset pull wire end being connected to the bonnet connection end pull wire to reset the hinge, and the unlock pull wire end being connected to the release end pull wire to unlock the hinge, thereby lifting the engine compartment cover and increasing the buffer space for collisions.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the radar monitors that a collision with a pedestrian is imminent and the motor receives an ECU power-supplied unlock signal, the motor is driven so that the reel rotates counterclockwise, tightening the unlock pull wire end and pulling the ratchet on the hinge, thereby rotating in the unlock direction and achieving unlocking. After the engine compartment cover is deployed due to impact or accidentally triggered, when the motor receives an ECU power reset signal, the motor drives the reel to rotate clockwise, tightening the reset pull wire end and pulling the reset link on the hinge to return the hinge mechanism and engine compartment cover to the reset state. When the ECU energizes the motor in the reverse direction, the motor drives the reel to rotate clockwise. When the ECU receives a jump signal from the microswitch, it controls the motor to shut off, at which point the reel's stopper comes into contact with the end of the unlock pull wire, preparing to be triggered and perform the unlock action the next time.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separate controller includes a reset actuator and an unlock actuator, the reset actuator being connected to a bonnet connection end pull wire by a reset pull wire, and the unlock actuator being connected to a release end pull wire by an unlock pull wire, the unlock actuator being of the 6NW 009 203 series with supplier HELLA, and since the unlock actuator is prior art, its function and operating principle will not be described in detail here.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separate controller includes a reset actuator and an unlock actuator, wherein the reset actuator is connected to a bonnet connection end pull wire by a reset pull wire, and the unlock actuator is connected to a release end pull wire by an unlock pull wire.

[0019] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reset actuator includes an outer tube, an end cap for sealing the end of the hollow outer tube, and a connector pull wire, a motor assembly, a slider, and a lead screw mounted inside the outer tube and the end cap. The motor assembly is fixedly installed inside the outer tube. One end of the lead screw is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor assembly. The other end of the lead screw abuts against the end cap after passing through the slider. One end of the connector pull wire is attached to the slider, and the other end of the connector pull wire passes through the end cap and is connected to the reset pull wire.

[0020] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one connector pull wire, and the number of connector pull wires is equal to the number of hinges.

[0021] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of unlocking actuators is equal to the number of hinges.

[0022] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the unlocking actuator receives an ECU power supply unlocking signal, the unlocking actuator is energized to tighten the unlocking pull wire, and by pulling the release end pull wire with the unlocking pull wire, the ratchet connected to the release end pull wire is rotated counterclockwise around the rivet axis A, thereby disengaging the latch and the ratchet. Finally, the lock lever is disengaged from the groove of the latch. After the lock lever loses the position control by the latch, the torsion springs C, D, E, and F are simultaneously released, and then the accumulated strain energy is released to the vehicle cover connecting member to unlock and open the bonnet. As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the reset actuator receives an ECU power supply reset signal, the motor assembly rotates and drives to rotate the lead screw, so that a slider fitted on the lead screw slides on the lead screw, and a connector pull wire fixedly connected to the slider drives to tighten the reset pull wire in the direction of the motor, thereby driving the pull wire head to be pulled in the direction of the bonnet connection end pull wire after pulling the bonnet connection end pull wire, so as to move downward the lock lever fixed to the vehicle cover connection member. After the lock lever contacts the latch, it drives to rotate the latch around the rivet axis B until the latch contacts the ratchet, and continues to drive to rotate the ratchet around the rivet axis A until the latch abuts against the ratchet and presents a locked state, further realizing the relocking and reset of the vehicle cover connection member and the bonnet connection member.

[0023] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a position limiting pin is fixedly provided on the bonnet connection member. The position limiting pin is located in the middle of the front link member and the rear link member and is used to limit the rotation angle of the front link member.

[0024] After the bonnet connection member jumps up to the height H, when a driver connected to the bonnet connection end pull wire receives a reset command, the driver pulls the bonnet connection end pull wire, so that a pull wire head fixedly integrated with the bonnet connection end pull wire moves downward along the Z direction which is the direction of the bonnet connection end pull wire, thereby realizing the reset of the vehicle cover connection member and being able to reset the hinge to the initial state.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vibration damping mechanism includes a rubber block and a bonnet vibration damping hole, the rubber block is fixed on the bonnet connecting member by a locking mechanism, the bonnet vibration damping hole is a through hole in the vehicle cover connecting member, the rubber block is positioned opposite the bonnet vibration damping hole, and when the vehicle cover connecting member and the bonnet connecting member are locked, the rubber block locks the support legs of the vehicle cover connecting member, preventing lateral swaying of the vehicle cover connecting member, thereby ensuring that the hinge of the present invention is free from abnormal noise and vibration during normal vehicle operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The bonnet system of the present invention, which enables predictable triggers for pedestrian protection, has the following advantages compared to the prior art.

[0027] (1) The strain energy accumulated by the four torsion springs is released into the hood, providing upward energy, so that after the hinges spring up, there is almost no residual energy left in the system, thus avoiding secondary injuries to pedestrians' heads.

[0028] (2) When the driver receives a reset command, the driver pulls the hood connection end pull wire to move the lock lever fixed to the vehicle cover connection member downwards, and after the latch contacts the ratchet, the ratchet is driven to rotate around the rivet axis until the locking mechanism is relocked, thereby enabling a simple reset of the hood and allowing the vehicle to be used normally, thus achieving high reusability of the product.

[0029] (3) The hinge can be reset and reused after being accidentally triggered, eliminating the need to replace related parts and reducing maintenance costs.

[0030] (4) The fact that the four torsion springs provide the energy to lift the hood is a mechanical function and does not cause environmental pollution through chemical combustion, thus belonging to the environmental protection mechanism.

[0031] (5) By using an integrated controller or a separate controller, electric release and reset control can be achieved, the active hinge can be reused after it has been flipped up, existing detection and control devices can be fully utilized, and there is no need to add related parts.

[0032] (6) Compared to gunpowder-operated release structures, electric-operated structures do not cause environmental pollution from chemical combustion, do not have an expiration date, and do not require periodic replacement.

[0033] (7) By flexibly installing separate controllers and integrated controllers to control the hinge structure, the space can be arranged to match the internal structure of the vehicle and based on the layout of the internal structure of the vehicle, thereby maximizing the utilization rate of the space structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the integrated controller and the hinge. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled integrated controller. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the reel structure of an integrated controller. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the separate controller and the hinge. [Figure 5] This is an overall cross-sectional view of the reset actuator. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the mounting of the vehicle body connecting member and the hood connecting member. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the hood pop-up mechanism mounted on the bonnet connection member. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the hood pop-up mechanism when the vehicle cover connecting member is in the flipped-up position. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the release reset mechanism mounted on the hood connection member. [Figure 10]This is a schematic diagram of the release reset mechanism for the vehicle cover connecting member in the flipped-up position. [Figure 11] This is a magnified view of a portion of the vibration isolation mechanism. [Figure 12] This is a magnified view of the unlocked state of the release reset mechanism. [Figure 13] This is a magnified view of the locked state of the release reset mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] As shown in the drawings, the present invention provides a bonnet system that enables predictable triggering of pedestrian protection, and includes a vehicle body connecting member 1, a bonnet connecting member 2, a connecting member 3, a gasket 4, a release reset mechanism, a hood pop-up mechanism, a vibration damping mechanism, and a control mechanism.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting member 3 passes through the vehicle body connecting member 1, the gasket 4, and the hood connecting member 2 in sequence, connecting them as a single unit, thereby rotating the hood connecting member 2 around the vehicle body connecting member 1. The release reset mechanism, the hood pop-up mechanism, and the vibration damping mechanism are mounted on the hood connecting member 2. The control mechanism is used to control the unlocking and resetting of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism. The vibration damping mechanism limits the lateral displacement of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism. The control mechanism includes an integrated controller and a separate controller.

[0038] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the release reset mechanism includes a vehicle cover connecting member 221, a rotating member 100, a release end pull wire 2122, a pull wire fixing member 212, a ratchet 2151, a rivet shaft A2152, a torsion spring A2153, a latch 2161, a lock lever 223, a rivet shaft B2162, a torsion spring B2163, a bonnet connecting end pull wire 2121, and a pull wire head 222. One end of the vehicle cover connecting member 221 is connected to the bonnet connecting member 2 by the rotating member 100, causing the vehicle cover connecting member 221 to rotate relative to the bonnet connecting member 2 under the action of the rotating member 100, thereby engaging the lock lever 223 in the groove of the latch 2161 or disengaging it from the groove of the latch 2161.

[0039] Torsion spring A2153 is fitted onto ratchet 2151, and ratchet 2151 is connected to bonnet connecting member 2 by rivet shaft A2152, causing ratchet 2151 to rotate around rivet shaft A2152. Torsion spring B2163 is fitted onto latch 2161, and latch 2161 is connected to bonnet connecting member 2 by rivet shaft B2162, causing latch 2161 to rotate around rivet shaft B2162.

[0040] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the open end pull wire 2122 and the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121 are drilled into the pull wire fixing member 212, the pull wire fixing member 212 is fixed on the bonnet connection member 2 by a locking mechanism, one end of the open end pull wire 2122 is connected to a screwdriver, and the other end of the open end pull wire 2122 is tightened to a ratchet 2151 after passing through the pull wire fixing member 212, controlling the ratchet 2151 to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A2152, one end of the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121 is connected to a screwdriver, and the other end of the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121 is tightened to a pull wire head 222, controlling the latch 2161 to rotate around the rivet shaft B2162.

[0041] The ratchet 2151 rotates counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A2152, disengaging the lock lever 223 from the groove of the latch 2161, and the latch 2161 rotates counterclockwise around the rivet shaft B2162, engaging the lock lever 223 into the groove of the latch 2161. The hood pop-up mechanism includes a front link member 231, a rear link member 241, rivet shafts C232, D233, E242, F243, torsion springs C234, D235, E244, and F245.

[0042] One end of the front link member 231 is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member 221 by a rivet shaft C232, and the torsion spring C234 is fitted onto the rivet shaft C232, with both ends of the torsion spring C234 contacting the vehicle cover connecting member 221 and the front link member 231 respectively, thereby rotating the vehicle cover connecting member 221 and the front link member 231 around the rivet shaft C232. The other end of the front link member 231 is riveted to the bonnet connecting member 2 by a rivet shaft D233, and the torsion spring D235 is fitted onto the rivet shaft D233, with both ends of the torsion spring D235 contacting the front link member 231 and the bonnet connecting member 2 respectively, thereby rotating the bonnet connecting member 2 and the front link member 231 around the rivet shaft D233.

[0043] One end of the rear link member 241 is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member 221 by a rivet shaft E242, and the torsion spring E244 is fitted onto the rivet shaft E242, with both ends of the torsion spring E244 contacting the rear link member 241 and the vehicle cover connecting member 221 respectively, thereby rotating the rear link member 241 and the vehicle cover connecting member 221 around the rivet shaft E242, and the other end of the rear link member 241 is riveted to the bonnet connecting member 2 by a rivet shaft F243. The torsion spring F245 is fitted onto the rivet shaft F243, and both ends of the torsion spring F245 abut against the rear link member 241 and the bonnet connecting member 2, respectively, thereby causing the rear link member 241 and the bonnet connecting member 2 to rotate around the rivet shaft F243. A position limiting pin 22 is fixed to the bonnet connecting member 2, and the position limiting pin 22 is located midway between the front link member 231 and the rear link member 241, and is used to limit the rotation angle of the front link member 231.

[0044] The spring plate 214 is screwed onto the bonnet connecting member 2 by bolts 213, and its function is to restrict the ratchet 2151 when the pull wire fixing member 212 is not attached to the bonnet connecting member 2, ensuring that the ratchet 2151 stably engages the latch 2161. However, after the pull wire fixing member 212 is attached to the bonnet connecting member 2, the spring plate 214 is pushed out by the support legs of the pull wire fixing member 212, and the ratchet 2151 is restricted by the pull wire fixing member 212. The integrated controller is installed in pairs and arranged symmetrically. The integrated controller includes an actuator housing 71, a base 72, a reset pull wire end 73, an unlock pull wire end 74, a reel 75, a microswitch 77, and a motor 78. The microswitch 77 and motor 78 are mounted on the base 72, and the reel 75 and motor 78 are connected and fixed above the motor 78 by spline fitting. The reel 75 is provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stopper 751 and a lower stopper 752 located on the upper and lower wire rope grooves. The pull wire ropes wound in the upper and lower wire rope grooves are connected to the reset pull wire end 73 and the unlock pull wire end 74, respectively. The actuator housing 71 seals the reel 75 onto the base 72 using a seal ring 76, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, holes are provided in the upper stopper 751 and the lower stopper 752, and the wire rope passes sequentially through the hole in the upper stopper 751 and the reset pull wire rivet head 731, and through the hole in the lower stopper 752 and the unlock pull wire rivet head 741. The reset pull wire rivet head 731 and the unlock pull wire rivet head 741 drilled in the wire rope contact the upper stopper 751 and the lower stopper 752, respectively. When the lower stopper 752 on the reel 75 is driven to move the pull wire connected to the unlock pull wire rivet head 741, the reset pull wire rivet head 731 moves freely within the upper wire rope groove of the reel 75. Conversely, when the upper stopper 751 on the reel 75 is driven to move the pull wire connected to the reset pull wire rivet head 731, the unlock pull wire rivet head 741 moves freely within the lower wire rope groove of the reel 75.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the separate controller includes a reset actuator 89 and an unlock actuator 80, the reset actuator 89 being connected to a bonnet connection end pull wire 2121 by a reset pull wire 42, and the unlock actuator 80 being connected to a release end pull wire 2122 by an unlock pull wire 35.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the reset actuator 89 includes an outer tube 91, an end cap 96 that seals the end of the hollow outer tube 91, and a connector pull wire 92, a motor assembly 93, a slider 94, and a lead screw 95 mounted inside the outer tube 91 and the end cap 96. The motor assembly 93 is fixed inside the outer tube 91, one end of the lead screw 95 is fixedly connected to the output terminal of the motor assembly 93, the other end of the lead screw 95 is drilled into the slider 94 and then abuts against the end cap 96, one end of the connector pull wire 92 is attached to the slider 94, and the other end of the connector pull wire 92 passes through the end cap 96 and is connected to the reset pull wire 42.

[0048] The vibration damping mechanism includes a rubber block 217 and a bonnet vibration damping hole 20. The rubber block 217 is fixed on the bonnet connecting member 2 by a locking mechanism, and the bonnet vibration damping hole 20 is a through-hole in the vehicle cover connecting member 221. The rubber block 217 is positioned opposite the bonnet vibration damping hole 20, as shown in Figure 11.

[0049] Example 1 The vehicle uses disc-shaped integrated actuators arranged symmetrically, and radar detects when a collision with a pedestrian is imminent, and signals to the ADAS. A signal is transmitted to the ECU, and when the motor 78 receives the ECU power supply unlock signal, the motor 78 drives the reel 75 to rotate counterclockwise to tighten the unlock pull wire end 74, and the unlock pull wire end 74 pulls the release end pull wire 2122, causing the ratchet 2151 connected to the release end pull wire 2122 to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A2152, thereby disengaging the latch 2161 and the ratchet 2151, and finally disengaging the lock lever 223 from the groove of the latch 2161. After the lock lever 223 loses positional control by the latch 2161, it simultaneously releases the torsion springs C234, D235, E244 and F245, and then releases its accumulated strain energy to the vehicle cover connecting member 221, unlocking and opening the hood, as shown in Figure 12.

[0050] When motor 78 receives the ECU power supply reset signal, motor 78 drives reel 75 to rotate clockwise to tighten the reset pull wire end 73, and after the reset pull wire end 73 pulls the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121, the pull wire head 222 is driven to pull towards the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121, thereby moving the lock lever 223 fixed to vehicle cover connection member 221 downwards. After contacting latch 2161, the lock lever 223 drives latch 2161 to rotate around rivet shaft B2162 until latch 2161 contacts ratchet 2151, and continues to drive ratchet 2151 to rotate around rivet shaft A2152 until latch 2161 contacts ratchet 2151 and enters a locked state, thereby relocking and resetting the vehicle cover connection member 221 and bonnet connection member 2, as shown in Figure 13.

[0051] When the ECU energizes the motor 78 in the reverse direction, the motor 78 drives the reel 75 to rotate clockwise. When the ECU receives a jump signal from the microswitch 77, the ECU controls the deactivation of the motor 78, at which point the lower stopper 752 of the reel 75 comes into contact with the unlock pull wire end 74, preparing to be triggered and perform the unlock operation the next time.

[0052] Example 2 When the unlock actuator 80 receives the ECU power supply unlock signal, the unlock actuator 80 energizes and tightens the unlock pull wire 35, and the unlock pull wire 35 pulls the release end pull wire 2122, causing the ratchet 2151 connected to the release end pull wire 2122 to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A2152, thereby disengaging the latch 2161 and the ratchet 2151, and finally disengaging the lock lever 223 from the groove of the latch 2161. After the lock lever 223 loses position restriction control by the latch 2161, it simultaneously releases the torsion springs C234, D235, E244 and F245, and then releases its accumulated strain energy to the vehicle cover connecting member 221, unlocking and opening the hood, as shown in Figure 12.

[0053] After unlocking is complete, the ECU returns the unlock actuator 80 to its initial position by energizing it and moving it in the reverse direction.

[0054] When the reset actuator 89 receives the ECU power supply reset signal, the motor assembly 93 rotates and drives the lead screw 95 to rotate, thereby sliding the slider 94 fitted on the lead screw 95 onto the lead screw 95, and the connector pull wire 92 fixedly connected to the slider 94 drives the reset pull wire 42 to tighten toward the motor, thereby pulling the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121 and driving the pull wire head 222 to pull toward the bonnet connection end pull wire 2121. The lock lever 223, fixed to the vehicle cover connecting member 221, is moved downward. After contacting the latch 2161, the lock lever 223 drives the latch 2161 to rotate around the rivet shaft B2162 until the latch 2161 contacts the ratchet 2151. The lock lever 223 continues to drive the ratchet 2151 to rotate around the rivet shaft A2152 until the latch 2161 contacts the ratchet 2151 and enters a locked state. This further relocks and resets the vehicle cover connecting member 221 and the bonnet connecting member 2, as shown in Figure 13.

[0055] The embodiments described above are merely for illustrating the technical idea and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it thereunder, and not to limit the scope of protection of the present invention thereunder. Any equivalent transformations or modifications made based on the spirit and substance of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bonnet system comprising a vehicle body connecting member (1), a bonnet connecting member (2), a connecting member (3), and a gasket (4), wherein the connecting member (3) integrally connects the vehicle body connecting member (1), the gasket (4), and the bonnet connecting member (2), and provides a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection by rotating the bonnet connecting member (2) around the vehicle body connecting member (1), further comprising a release reset mechanism, a hood pop-up mechanism, and a vibration damping mechanism attached to the bonnet connecting member (2), and a control mechanism for controlling the unlocking and resetting of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism, wherein the control mechanism includes an integrated controller or a separate controller, and the vibration damping mechanism limits the lateral displacement of the release reset mechanism and the hood pop-up mechanism. A bonnet system that enables predictable triggers for pedestrian protection, characterized by the following features.

2. The release reset mechanism includes a vehicle cover connecting member (221), a rotating member (100), a release end pull wire (2122), a pull wire fixing member (212), a ratchet (2151), a rivet shaft A (2152), a torsion spring A (2153), a latch (2161), a lock lever (223), a rivet shaft B (2162), a torsion spring B (2163), a bonnet connecting end pull wire (2121), and a pull wire head (222). One end of the vehicle cover connecting member (221) is connected to the bonnet connecting member (2) by a rotating member (100), thereby causing the vehicle cover connecting member (221) to rotate relative to the bonnet connecting member (2) under the action of the rotating member (100), thereby engaging the lock lever (223) in the groove of the latch (2161) or disengaging it from the groove of the latch (2161). The torsion spring A (2153) is fitted onto the ratchet (2151), and the ratchet (2151) is connected to the bonnet connecting member (2) by the rivet shaft A (2152), causing the ratchet (2151) to rotate about the rivet shaft A (2152). The torsion spring B (2163) is fitted onto the latch (2161), and the latch (2161) is connected to the bonnet connecting member (2) by the rivet shaft B (2162), causing the latch (2161) to rotate about the rivet shaft B (2162). The open end pull wire (2122) and the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121) are drilled within the pull wire fixing member (212), and the pull wire fixing member (212) is fixed on the bonnet connection member (2) by a locking mechanism. One end of the release end pull wire (2122) is connected to a control mechanism, and the other end of the release end pull wire (2122) is tightened onto a ratchet (2151) after passing through a pull wire fixing member (212). By controlling the ratchet (2151) to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A (2152), the lock lever (223) is released from the groove of the latch (2161). One end of the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121) is connected to a control mechanism, and the other end of the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121) is fastened to a pull wire head (222). By controlling the latch (2161) to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft B (2162), the lock lever (223) is engaged in the groove of the latch (2161). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 1.

3. The hood pop-up mechanism includes a front link member (231), a rear link member (241), a rivet shaft C (232), a rivet shaft D (233), a rivet shaft E (242), a rivet shaft F (243), a torsion spring C (234), a torsion spring D (235), a torsion spring E (244), and a torsion spring F (245). One end of the front link member (231) is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member (221) by a rivet shaft C (232), and the torsion spring C (234) is fitted onto the rivet shaft C (232), and both ends of the torsion spring C (234) abut against the vehicle cover connecting member (221) and the front link member (231), respectively, thereby causing the vehicle cover connecting member (221) and the front link member (231) to rotate about the rivet shaft C (232). The other end of the front link member (231) is riveted to the bonnet connecting member (2) by a rivet shaft D (233), and the torsion spring D (235) is fitted onto the rivet shaft D (233), and both ends of the torsion spring D (235) abut against the front link member (231) and the bonnet connecting member (2), respectively, thereby causing the bonnet connecting member (2) and the front link member (231) to rotate around the rivet shaft D (233). One end of the rear link member (241) is riveted to the vehicle cover connecting member (221) by a rivet shaft E (242), and the torsion spring E (244) is fitted onto the rivet shaft E (242), and both ends of the torsion spring E (244) abut against the rear link member (241) and the vehicle cover connecting member (221), respectively, thereby causing the rear link member (241) and the vehicle cover connecting member (221) to rotate about the rivet shaft E (242). The other end of the rear link member (241) is riveted to the bonnet connecting member (2) by a rivet shaft F (243), and the torsion spring F (245) is fitted onto the rivet shaft F (243), and both ends of the torsion spring F (245) abut against the rear link member (241) and the bonnet connecting member (2), respectively, thereby causing the rear link member (241) and the bonnet connecting member (2) to rotate about the rivet shaft F (243). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 1.

4. The integrated controller is installed in pairs and arranged symmetrically, and the integrated controller includes an actuator housing (71), a base (72), a reset pull wire end (73), an unlock pull wire end (74), a reel (75), a microswitch (77), and a motor (78), the microswitch (77) and motor (78) are mounted on the base (72), the reel (75) and motor (78) are connected and fixed above the motor (78) by spline fitting, the reel (75) is provided with an upper wire rope groove, a lower wire rope groove, and an upper stopper (751) and a lower stopper (752) 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 are connected to the reset pull wire end (73) and the unlock pull wire end (74), respectively, the actuator housing (71) seals the reel (75) on the base (72) using a seal ring (76), The upper stopper (751) and the lower stopper (752) each have holes, and the reset pull wire rivet head (731) and the unlock pull wire rivet head (741) drilled in the wire rope contact the upper stopper (751) and the lower stopper (752), respectively. When the lower stopper (752) on the reel (75) is driven to move the pull wire connected to the unlock pull wire rivet head (741), the reset pull wire rivet head (731) moves freely into the upper wire rope groove on the reel (75). Conversely, when the upper stopper (751) on the reel (75) is driven to move the pull wire connected to the reset pull wire rivet head (731), the unlock pull wire rivet head (741) moves freely into the lower wire rope groove on the reel (75). By pulling the release end pull wire (2122) with the unlock pull wire end (74), the ratchet (2151) connected to the release end pull wire (2122) is rotated counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A (2152), thereby disengaging the latch (2161) from the ratchet (2151), and finally disengaging the lock lever (223) from the groove of the latch (2161). After the lock lever (223) loses positional control by the latch (2161), it simultaneously releases the torsion springs C (234), D (235), E (244), and F (245), and then releases the accumulated strain energy to the vehicle cover connecting member (221), unlocking and opening the hood. After the reset pull wire end (73) pulls the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121), the pull wire head (222) is driven to pull towards the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121), thereby moving the lock lever (223) fixed to the vehicle cover connection member (221) downward. The lock lever (223) then contacts the latch (2161) and drives the latch (2161) to rotate around the rivet shaft B (2162) until the latch (2161) contacts the ratchet (2151). The lock lever (223) continues to drive the ratchet (2151) to rotate around the rivet shaft A (2152) until the latch (2161) contacts the ratchet (2151) and enters a locked state, thereby achieving relocking and resetting of the vehicle cover connection member (221) and the bonnet connection member (2). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 1.

5. The separate controller includes a reset actuator (89) and an unlock actuator (80), the reset actuator (89) being connected to a bonnet connection end pull wire (2121) by a reset pull wire (42), and the unlock actuator (80) being connected to a release end pull wire (2122) by an unlock pull wire (35). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 1.

6. The reset actuator (89) includes an outer tube (91), an end cap (96) that seals the end of the hollow outer tube (91), and a connector pull wire (92), a motor assembly (93), a slider (94), and a lead screw (95) installed inside the outer tube (91) and the end cap (96). The motor assembly (93) is fixed inside the outer tube (91), one end of the lead screw (95) is fixedly connected to the output terminal of the motor assembly (93), the other end of the lead screw (95) is drilled into the slider (94) and then abuts against the end cap (96), one end of the connector pull wire (92) is attached to the slider (94), and the other end of the connector pull wire (92) passes through the end cap (96) and is connected to the reset pull wire (42). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 5.

7. When the unlock actuator (80) receives the ECU power supply unlock signal, it energizes the unlock actuator (80) and tightens the unlock pull wire (35). The unlock pull wire (35) pulls the release end pull wire (2122), causing the ratchet (2151) connected to the release end pull wire (2122) to rotate counterclockwise around the rivet shaft A (2152). This disengages the latch (2161) from the ratchet (2151), and finally disengages the lock lever (223) from the groove of the latch (2161). After the lock lever (223) loses position restriction control by the latch (2161), it simultaneously releases the torsion springs C (234), D (235), E (244), and F (245), and then releases the accumulated strain energy to the vehicle cover connecting member (221), unlocking and opening the hood. A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 5.

8. When the reset actuator (89) receives the ECU power supply reset signal, the motor assembly (93) rotates and drives the lead screw (95) to rotate, thereby sliding the slider (94) fitted on the lead screw (95) onto the lead screw (95), and the connector pull wire (92) fixedly connected to the slider (94) drives the reset pull wire (42) to tighten towards the motor, thereby pulling the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121) and then driving the pull wire head (222) to pull towards the bonnet connection end pull wire (2121). This causes the lock lever (223) fixed to the vehicle cover connecting member (221) to move downward, and the lock lever (223) then contacts the latch (2161) and drives the latch (2161) to rotate around the rivet shaft B (2162) until the latch (2161) contacts the ratchet (2151), and continues to drive the ratchet (2151) to rotate around the rivet shaft A (2152) until the latch (2161) abuts against the ratchet (2151) and enters a locked state, thereby achieving relocking and resetting of the vehicle cover connecting member (221) and the bonnet connecting member (2). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 5.

9. A position limiting pin (22) is fixed to the bonnet connecting member (2), and the position limiting pin (22) is located midway between the front link member (231) and the rear link member (241), and is used to limit the rotation angle of the front link member (231). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in feature 3.

10. The vibration damping mechanism includes a rubber block (217) and a bonnet vibration damping hole (20), the rubber block (217) being fixed on the bonnet connecting member (2) by a locking mechanism, the bonnet vibration damping hole (20) being a through hole in the vehicle cover connecting member (221), and the rubber block (217) facing the position of the bonnet vibration damping hole (20). A bonnet system that enables a predictable trigger for pedestrian protection as described in item 1.

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