Opening system for a front hood

Abstract

An opening system for a vehicle front hood (20) should make it possible both to open the front hood (20) and to move it into at least one protection position in which it is lifted in the hinge region. According to the invention, only a single drive (19) with two fastening points (18, A1) at its ends is provided, one fastening point (18) interacting with the bodywork and the other fastening point (A1) interacting with the front hood (20). The drive (19) brings the front hood (20) into the protection position when there is a small extending movement and into the open position when there is a further extending movement. The drive (19) has an electrical actuator, preferably a linear actuator (23), and preferably additionally also a pyrotechnic actuator (13). The linear actuator (23) can preferably not only cause the front hood (20) to open but also move it to a pre-safe position. The pyrotechnic actuator (13) moves the front hood to the protection position in the event of an accident, either from the closed position or from the pre-safe position.

Description

OPENING SYSTEM FOR A FRONT DOOR Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening system for a front hatch, which allows both an opening and a displacement of the front hatch into at least one protective position raised in the hinge area, with a drive having two attachment points at its ends, one attachment point cooperating with the body and the other attachment point cooperating with the front hatch. State of the art

[0002] The "opening system" refers to the mechanism that, together with the hinge, enables the front flap to be opened and closed. Since two hinges are usually provided on either side of the front flap (left and right), there are usually two opening systems per front flap.

[0003] In higher-end vehicles, gas springs are used to assist the opening of hoods and tailgates. While opening assistance has declined in the past (more and more manufacturers are relying on support rods because the hood rarely needs to be opened), the advent of electric mobility is bringing renewed interest to this topic. This is because sporty vehicles with a long front end, or SUVs, have a storage compartment under the hood, referred to by the portmanteau term "frunk," a combination of the words front and trunk. This front trunk is much more common in electric cars, as the combustion engine is no longer present. Therefore, in the following, we will refer to a "front lid" rather than a "hood."The front trunk is naturally subject to more frequent use than the hood of a conventional vehicle; in mid- or rear-engined sports cars, the trunk may even be the only trunk. For convenience, an electric actuator is often used instead of a gas spring, allowing opening and closing at the touch of a button.

[0004] At the same time, the regulations for VRUs, i.e. vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians, in Japan and China place increased demands on the protection of this group of people, which can be more easily met by raising the front flap in the event of an accident.

[0005] DE102022121058B provides for two drives for the two applications (opening and protective position): a linear actuator designed as a spindle drive on the one hand for normal opening and a pyrotechnic actuator on the other hand for lifting the front flap into the protective position in the event of an accident.

[0006] For most hinges for hoods, which are located just in front of the windshield, a simple pivot joint is not possible, as this would cause the hood to collide with the body and / or the windshield when opened. Therefore, a four-bar linkage is usually provided so that the hood moves away from the body and windshield at the beginning of the opening movement. This is also the case with the aforementioned DE102022121058B; the four-bar linkage is formed by two links 26, 27. These links 26, 27 are hinged at the bottom as usual to the body VB (more precisely, to a body part 12). At the top, however, they are not hinged to the hood as usual, but to an intermediate lever 28, which forms the coupling of the four-bar linkage. This intermediate lever 28 is in turn pivotally connected to a locking lever 33, which in turn is pivotally connected to the front flap VF (more precisely to a flap part 11 which is firmly connected to the front flap).In addition, a locking lever 29 is hinged to the front flap VF (more precisely, to the flap part 11), which normally fixes the intermediate lever 28 and thus prevents the locking lever 33 from pivoting. Normally, the intermediate lever 28 is rigidly connected to the front flap VF, and the four-bar linkage functions as usual. The front flap can be opened and closed with a linear actuator 14 designed as a spindle drive, which is hinged to the front flap at a large distance from the hinge.

[0007] Additionally, a pyrotechnic actuator 15 is provided, the upper end of which is hinged to the locking lever 29. When the pyrotechnic actuator 15 is actuated, it first pivots the locking lever 29 so that the intermediate lever 28 is no longer fixed. It then strikes the flap part 11 of the front flap VF and pushes it upward. This is possible because the locking lever 29 is released, as the locking lever 33 can now rotate from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. The front flap VF can thus be raised even though neither the links 26, 27 nor the intermediate lever 28 move.

[0008] However, the rotation of the locking lever 33 also causes the front flap VF to move horizontally, and this movement would be impossible without further measures due to the (slow) linear actuator 14, at least not in a short time. Therefore, the two actuators 14, 15 are not pivotally mounted on the body (as usual), but rather on a lever 17 and 20, respectively. The other ends of these levers 17 and 20 are pivotally mounted on the link 26, specifically near its pivot point 26c on the body part 12. Additionally, the two levers 17 and 20 are connected to one another by a shear pin 23, so that the two levers 17 and 20, together with the link 26, normally form a stable triangle. However, when the pyrotechnic actuator 15 is ignited, the shear pin 23 breaks, and the two levers 17 and 20 can move. Thus, the linear actuator 14 can move and follow the movement of the front flap VF.In order to ensure that the pyrotechnic actuator 15 has a stable abutment despite the movable lever 20, a stop 24 is provided on the link 26, which prevents further rotation of the lever 20.

[0009] It is obvious that this solution is mechanically very complex. The reason for this is that the adjustment of the front flap occurs independently of the normal opening movement, but the mechanism for normal opening prevents the adjustment movement. To adjust the front flap, the mechanism for normal opening must therefore be released. In this version, this occurs at two points: firstly, the intermediate lever 28 must be released from the front flap VF (by pivoting the locking lever 29), and secondly, a pivot point of the linear actuator 14 must also be released (by breaking the shear pin 23). A total of five levers are required here (in addition to the two links).

[0010] WOWO 2021 / 259682A also shows a joint arrangement for the use of two actuators for opening and closing the front flap, whereby here too the movement during closing is independent of the movement during opening. A four-bar linkage formed by two links 7, 8 is provided for opening the front flap. Furthermore, an actuator 10 is provided, which is designed as a spindle drive and is articulated on the one hand to the body at point P1 and on the other hand to the front flap at point P3. So that the front flap can still be raised by another (not shown, e.g., pyrotechnic) drive, point P3 of the drive is not articulated to the front flap itself, but to a lever 15, which in turn is articulated to the front flap at point P2. The front flap can therefore be raised by rotating the lever 15 (similar to the locking lever 33 described above).Although this solution only requires an additional lever, there is no locking mechanism, so the front flap could move towards the protective position even in the event of vibrations or strong gusts of wind.

[0011] Also according to DE102015014843A, several drives are provided to enable both automatic opening and lifting of the hood into a protective position.

[0012] The disadvantage of all these known solutions is that two drives have to be installed per hinge, i.e. per opening system, which requires assembly work at a total of eight connection points (four connection points for each opening system).

[0013] Furthermore, numerous solutions are known where automatic opening is not possible, but where manual opening of the hood is assisted by a gas spring. DE10128967C shows such a gas spring to assist manual opening. Furthermore, there is an independent system that determines the path of the gas spring by opening or closing a lock: When the lock is locked, the hood opens; when the lock is released, the hood moves to the protective position.

[0014] Also according to EP1577175A, DE19710417A, GB2400826A and US2010132160A, the lifting of the bonnet is supported by a spring; automatic opening is not described there.

[0015] DE20215543U shows a drive that lifts a single-pivot hinge, which, in the arrangement shown there, is necessary for both normal opening and the protective position. However, this drive cannot open the front flap.

[0016] The same applies to the solution according to DE10116716A. A piston-cylinder unit moves the front flap into the protective position. The front flap must be opened manually. Description of the invention

[0017] The aim of the present invention is to find a more economical way of adjusting the front flap for pedestrian protection and of opening the front flap to gain access to the front trunk.

[0018] This object is achieved according to the invention by an opening mechanism of the type mentioned at the outset in that the drive has an electric actuator and the drive is the only drive which, with a slight extension movement, brings the front flap into the protective position and, with a further extension movement, brings the front flap into the open position. In other words, even with normal opening of the front flap, the raised position in the hinge area, which is intended to be assumed in the event of an accident, i.e. the pedestrian protection position (protection position for short), is passed through. Preferably, in the protective position, the front flap is raised in the hinge area by at least 50 mm compared to the closed position, so that sufficient deformation space is available to catch the head and upper body of the pedestrian.This allows for both the hinge-side lifting of the front flap and the opening of the front flap to access the frunk in an economical manner using a single kinematic system. A particular advantage is that only one drive needs to be installed per hinge, i.e., per opening system. Another advantage is that after lifting into the protective position, the rear edge of the front flap is already high enough that the further opening movement can be achieved with a single hinge, preventing the front flap from colliding with the windshield or body parts.

[0019] This single drive can—as described below—have multiple actuators, for example, in addition to the electric actuator for (slow) opening, a pyrotechnic actuator for sudden activation into the protective position. The term "single drive" is intended to describe the fact that there are only two points between which the drive force is applied, both for activation into the protective position and for the subsequent opening.

[0020] The electric actuator is preferably a linear actuator, particularly preferably a spindle drive. If the electric actuator is sufficiently fast, it can also be used to move to the protective position.

[0021] A particularly advantageous feature of the solution according to the invention is that it is easy to provide for the drive to control three defined positions, in which the front flap is in a pre-safe position, in the protective position and in the open position. A pre-safe position can therefore be achieved in the simplest way, e.g. during emergency braking, where the front flap is only raised slightly so that it does not irritate the driver, but where moving the front flap into the protective position in the event of a pedestrian impact still takes less time. In the pre-safe position, the front flap is preferably raised in the hinge area by at least 30 mm compared to the closed position, i.e. approximately half as high as in the protective position. A relatively large amount of time is available for controlling the pre-safe position because it is controlled before the impact.Preferably, the electrical activation of the pre-safe position takes place in < 1 s, preferably < 600 ms. This can also be easily achieved with a spindle drive. The front flap can be returned to the closed position from both the pre-safe position and the open position if the electrical actuator is reversibly controllable.

[0022] The protective position must be activated very quickly because it is only triggered upon impact with the pedestrian. The protective position should preferably be activated in < 50 ms, more preferably < 30 ms. This is hardly achievable when the electric actuator is designed as a spindle drive. Therefore, according to a further embodiment, the drive has a pyrotechnic actuator in addition to the electric actuator, and the front flap can be pyrotechnically adjusted from the closed position and, if necessary, also from the pre-safe position into the protective position. Such combined drives are described in the unpublished Austrian patent application A50767 / 2023; an example is also explained below in the description of the figures.

[0023] Depending on the speed of the electric actuator, it may be appropriate for the front flap to be pyrotechnically adjustable from the pre-safe position to the protective position. In principle, however, the invention also encompasses the possibility of electrically controlling the protective position, especially if the pre-safe position has previously been assumed.

[0024] Within the scope of the invention, it is possible for the front flap to be adjustable in the lock area by adjusting the hinge area. For this, the hinge simply needs to be designed accordingly. For example, a horizontal movement can also be forced during adjustment. If a corresponding slope is provided in the lock area, the front flap will run along this slope as a result of the horizontal movement and thus be lifted.

[0025] For example, the hinge between the body and the hood can have a four-bar linkage (G1-G4) for controlling the protective position and an additional linkage (G5) for controlling the opening position. If the drive's point of action, viewed from the side, is between the center of gravity of the hood and the hinge, the drive first lifts the hood to its stop according to the kinematics of the four-bar linkage (depending on the kinematics, also in the lock area) and then pivots around the single-bar linkage, thus fully opening it.

[0026] If adverse conditions cause excessive friction in the four-bar linkage, the front flap could pivot immediately around the single-bar linkage. To prevent this, a further embodiment of the invention provides that at least one lock of the front flap is automatically released to open the front flap, but remains closed when the protective position and, if applicable, the pre-safe position are activated. If the front flap is also to be raised in the lock area in the protective position (or the pre-safe position), the lock must, of course, also allow this slight movement when closed.

[0027] To prevent the front flap from being accidentally moved into the open position, it is advisable that the drive is connected to the body and the front flap in a pressure- and tensile-resistant manner.

[0028] Furthermore, it is expedient to provide a locking mechanism for the front flap hinge that can be released by actuating the drive or by an actuating element independent of the drive. This prevents the front flap from being accidentally lifted, for example, by gusts of wind or uneven ground. The locking mechanism is expediently reactivated after the front flap is closed, automatically by the electric actuator or the independent actuating element. The independent actuating element can, for example, be an electromagnet that moves a locking pin.

[0029] Finally, it is advantageous if the bonnet is not only raised in the protection position and, where applicable, also in the pre-safe position compared to the closed position, but is also shifted horizontally towards the windscreen. This also covers the so-called window root, which is the lowest section of the windscreen. The window root has very little flexibility because it is located on a (usually very solid) cross member below the windscreen. By shifting it towards the windscreen, the pedestrian's head is also protected from hitting the window root. The particular advantage of the pre-safe position with x-shift of the bonnet towards the windscreen is that it can be activated at speeds below the normal activation speed of normal active pedestrian protection systems, i.e. in the speed range of approx.10-25 km / h, can be controlled reversibly, thus better covering the hard area of ​​the disc's root in this speed range. This is particularly beneficial in accidents involving cyclists and takes into account the trend toward mixed traffic in so-called meeting zones. Short description of the drawings

[0030] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the hinge kinematics in the closed position; Fig. 2 the hinge kinematics in a first raised position of the front flap; Fig. 3 the hinge kinematics in the second, higher raised position of the front flap; Fig. 4 the closed and the two raised positions of the front flap in one representation; Fig. 5 the open position of the front flap; Fig. 6 a hinge kinematics with locking lever in the fixing position, with a drive partially shown; Fig. 7 the same with locking lever in the release position; and Fig. 8 a hinge kinematics without locking lever, but with the drive and front flap fully shown. Way(s) of carrying out the invention

[0031] The functional principle of an inventive opening mechanism for a front flap is represented as a kinematic model. In this model, connections between pivot points are represented as lines. A circle represents a pivot point, and a filled circle represents a rotationally locked pivot point. Different line types are used in the model to distinguish between the different states. The fixed connection of the kinematics is represented by a filled triangle.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows the closed position of the front flap. The four-bar linkage is formed by pivot points G1-G4. Pivot points G1 and G3 are attached to a body part 11 and form the web of the four-bar linkage. Body part 11 is connected to the body via point H1. Two arms are attached to pivot points G1 and G3, which are connected at their other ends to a coupling 10 via pivot points G2 and G4. In Fig. 1, the four-bar linkage is in its rest position. This position is limited in its downward movement by stops not shown in the figure.

[0033] Pivot points G2 and G4 are rigidly connected to pivot point G5 for the flap opening via coupling 10. The rigidity is represented in the model by triangles G2, G4, H2; G4, H2, H3; and G4, G5, H3. The position of the front flap is indicated by points H4, H5, and A1. H4 and H5 are located on a flap part 12 attached to the front flap. A1 represents the point of application of the drive. This is a pivot point located on a linkage part 25, which is also attached to the front flap.

[0034] Not shown in Fig. 1 is the locking mechanism for the closed position; it is achieved, for example, by a locking lever 14 (see Fig. 6), which releasably connects the flap part 12 to the body part 11. Instead of a locking lever 14, a movable pin can also be provided that blocks movement in the z-direction. The pin can, for example, be retracted electromagnetically, releasing the opening mechanism.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a first hinge-side adjusted position of the front flap. The intention of this position is to provide a certain amount of deformation space beneath the front flap. This position can preferably be controlled by an electric actuator, particularly preferably reversibly. In the design shown, this adjustment of the front flap is achieved by partially adjusting the four-bar linkage formed by the hinge points G1-G4, whereby the front flap is raised above point G5. The adjustment is achieved by a drive acting at point of action A1. Viewed from the side, point of action A1 is preferably located between the center of gravity of the front flap and hinge point G5, thereby enabling the front flap to be raised particularly economically. It goes without saying that the above-described fixation of the front flap in the closed position must be released before the front flap is raised.The height of the adjusted position is defined by the travel of the drive.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows the fully raised position of the front flap, the so-called safe position. In the illustrated design, this is achieved by engaging the four-bar linkage at articulation points G1-G4. The four-bar linkage preferably has stops that prevent further movement. The hinge-side lifting of the front flap is achieved by a drive acting at point A1. The drive can be electrical, pyrotechnic, or a combination of both. In the position shown in Fig. 3, the four-bar linkage is engaged to its stops.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows the closed and two hinge-raised positions of the front flap. For ease of understanding, the connecting lines between the figures are shown differently: solid lines for the closed position, dashed lines for the first raised position, and dotted lines for the highest raised position. The first raised position of the hinge-raised front flap is below the fully raised position.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows the open position of the hood. The action of the electric actuator at point A1 initially engages the four-bar linkage G1-G4 to its stop. With the hood lock open, the hood can then be opened further by turning it at point G5, thus allowing access to the frunk. In the event of misuse, for example, pulling the open hood toward the windshield, the actuator acts as a travel limiter.

[0039] Since the position of the center of gravity is outside the point of application A1, a tensile force in the z-direction acts on the four-bar linkage when a force is applied to the point of application A1. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to keep the hood lock or locks closed during the hinge-side adjustment of the front flap, because otherwise possible stiffness in the four-bar linkage could lead to the front opening.

[0040] With a suitable design of the four-bar linkage, an x-axis movement can be achieved in the hood when adjusted in the hinge area, which, with the appropriate striker geometry, leads to an adjustment of the hood in the lock area. If this x-axis movement occurs toward the windshield, this has the additional advantage that a pedestrian's head cannot strike the cross member located below the windshield, which is very solid (it stabilizes the vehicle laterally). The adjusted hood then protects a pedestrian's head not only from impacting the engine block or other rigid structures below the hood, but also from impacting this cross member.

[0041] Fig. 6 shows such a four-bar linkage with body part 11 (which is attached to the vehicle body) and flap part 12 (which is attached to the front flap). The flap part 12 is rotatably connected to the coupling 10 via joint G5. As in the previous figures, the coupling 10 is connected via pivot points G2 and G4 to arms, the other ends of which are rotatably connected to the body part 11 via pivot points G1 and G3. Of the drive 19, only the pyrotechnic actuator 13 is shown. This is not directly connected to the body part 11, but via a pivot point 18 to a locking lever 14, which in turn is pivotally connected to the body part 11 via a pivot point 17. To limit the pivoting movement, the locking lever 14 has an elongated hole 15 into which a pin 16 of the body part 11 projects.At the top, the locking lever 14 has a hook 21 with which it engages behind a corresponding projection 22 of the flap part 12 in the position shown. When the drive 19 is triggered, it first turns the locking lever 14 counterclockwise until the pin 16 in the elongated hole 15 prevents further rotation (this position is shown in Fig. 7). In this position of the locking lever 14, its hook 21 no longer engages behind the projection 22. Upon further actuation of the drive 19, a force now acts on the front flap, causing the movement described above. The locking lever 14 has the advantage that the front flap cannot be raised into the protective position if the drive 19 is not actuated.

[0042] Fig. 8 shows the drive 19 in its entirety. The pyrotechnic actuator 13 is connected to a linear actuator 23. The linear actuator 23 has a telescopic cylinder 24, which is rotatably connected to the articulation part 25 via the point of engagement A1. A spindle rod is located inside the cylinder. The articulation part 23, like the flap part 12, is attached to the front flap 20. The housing of the linear actuator 23 is connected to the housing of the pyrotechnic actuator 13. When the pyrotechnic actuator 13 is triggered, it suddenly displaces its housing (to the right, as seen in Fig. 8) and thus also the entire linear actuator 23, including the telescopic cylinder 24 and spindle rod.

[0043] In the example, a four-bar hinge was selected for adjusting the front flap, and a single-bar hinge was selected for opening the front flap. The front flap can initially be raised on the hinge side by the action of drive 19. Once the four-bar hinge has reached its maximum setting, the front flap opens via the single-bar hinge.

[0044] This makes it possible to use just one drive (per side) to both raise the front flap in the event of an accident involving pedestrians or cyclists and to ensure the electrical opening of the frunk.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the opening system has two adjusted positions, one adjusted position that can be reached with a purely electric actuator and a higher adjusted position of the front flap that can be reached purely electrically, pyrotechnically or by a combination of the two operating principles.

[0046] This arrangement has the advantage that, in the event of an impending accident, the front flap can initially be raised as a pre-safe procedure, and then either returned to its original position or reached its maximum raised position if an accident occurs. The pre-safe position can either be defined statically, for example, with a hinged position of at least 30 mm, or it can be raised for as long as time allows. In this second scenario, the front flap can also be fully raised in the hinged position.

[0047] If the Presafe position is statically defined, the system can be switched to the protective position (fully raised position) using an electric or pyrotechnic actuator. The height of the hinged front flap end defined as the Presafe protective height should be achievable in less than 1 s, particularly preferably in less than 600 ms.

[0048] It is further advantageous if the protective position in the hinge area can be reached in less than 50 ms, particularly preferably in less than 30 ms.

[0049] List of reference symbols: 10 Coupling 11 Body part 12 Flap part 13 Pyrotechnic actuator 14 Locking lever 15 Slot in 14 16 Pin in 15 17 Pivot point of 14 18 Articulation point of the drive 19 Drive 20 Front flap 21 Locking hook 22 Projection 23 Linear actuator 24 Telescopic cylinder 25 Articulation part H1 Fixing point of the body part 11 G1, G2, G3, G4 Pivot points of a four-bar linkage G5 Pivot point of a single-bar linkage of the front flap H2, H3 Auxiliary points for the fixed connection of G2, G4 and G5 A1 Application point of the drive 19 H4, H5 and A1 Representation of the points on the flap

Claims

Opening system for a front flap (20), which allows both an opening and a displacement of the front flap (20) into at least one protective position raised in the hinge area, with a drive (19) with two attachment points (18, A1) at its ends, one attachment point (18) cooperating with the body and the other attachment point (A1) with the front flap (20), characterized in that the drive (19) has an electric actuator and the drive (19) is the only drive which, with a slight extension movement, brings the front flap (20) into the protective position and, with a further extension movement, brings the front flap (20) into the open position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front flap (20) is raised in the protective position in the hinge area by at least 50 mm compared to the closed position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric actuator is a linear actuator (23), preferably a spindle drive. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that three defined positions can be controlled by the drive (19), in which the front flap (20) is in a pre-safe position, in the protective position or in the open position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical control of the pre-safe position takes place in < 1 s, preferably < 600 ms. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the front flap (20) is raised in the pre-safe position in the hinge area by at least 30 mm compared to the closed position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pre-safe position and the opening position can be reversibly controlled by the electric actuator. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive has a pyrotechnic actuator (13) in addition to the electric actuator. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the front flap (20) can be pyrotechnically adjusted from the closed position into the protective position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 9 and one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the front flap (20) can also be pyrotechnically adjusted from the pre-safe position into the protective position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the pyrotechnic control of the protective position takes place in < 50 ms, preferably < 30 ms. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the front flap (20) can also be adjusted in the lock area by adjusting it in the hinge area. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one lock of the front flap (20) is automatically released for opening the front flap (20), but remains closed when the protective position and, if applicable, the pre-safe position are activated. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the point of application of the drive (19), viewed from the side, lies between the center of gravity of the front flap (20) and the hinge. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the hinge between the body and the front flap (20) has a four-bar linkage (G1-G4) for controlling the protective position and additionally a further linkage (G5) for controlling the opening position. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the drive (19) is connected to the body and the front flap (20) in a pressure- and tension-resistant manner. Opening system for a front flap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a locking of the hinge of the front flap (20) is provided, which can be released by actuating the drive (19) or by an actuating element independent of the drive (19). Opening system according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking is reactivated after closing the front flap (20). Opening system according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the front flap (20) in the protective position and optionally also in the pre-safe position is not only raised relative to the closed position, but is also displaced horizontally in the direction of the windshield.

Images