Adjustable Vehicle Hood Latch with Twist Lock Handle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latch assemblies for automobile hoods lack adaptability, aesthetics, and user-friendliness, often requiring multiple fasteners and causing wear on painted surfaces, with limited options for customization and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
An aftermarket mechanism featuring a pivotally mounted twist lock handle, a hood pin, and a spring receiver member with adjustable slots, allowing for customizable configurations that prevent dangling and wear on painted surfaces, while enabling easy installation and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional latch assemblies are used, then the hood can be fastened securely, but the latch lacks adaptability to various hood styles and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is designed as a universal mechanism that can accommodate various hood styles, opening sizes, and surface types through adjustable components including the spring receiver member with slots, adjustable hood pin position, and configurable twist lock handle, eliminating the need for multiple different fasteners
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements such as the spring receiver member that can be positioned at different locations along its slot, the hood pin that can be adjusted along its slot, and the twist lock handle that can be repositioned, allowing the same mechanism to adapt to different installation requirements
2Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used, then the hood can be secured, but the fasteners cause wear on painted surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Bushings are introduced as intermediary elements between the latch components and the hood surface. These bushings act as mediators that prevent direct contact between metal fasteners and painted surfaces, thereby preventing wear and damage to the paint while maintaining secure fastening functionality
3Ease of operation
If conventional latch assemblies are used, then the hood can be locked, but the fasteners extend or dangle when unlocked affecting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The twist lock handle is designed to be pivotal and adjustable, allowing it to be positioned in various locations along its slot. This dynamic positioning capability enables the handle to be configured to lie flat against the hood surface when unlocked, preventing it from extending or dangling and improving the overall appearance
4Reliability
If conventional latch assemblies are used, then the hood can be fastened, but installation requires professionals and is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is designed as a modular, pre-assembled unit with clearly defined components that can be easily identified and installed in sequence. The spring receiver member, hood pin, and twist lock handle are segmented components that can be independently adjusted and positioned, simplifying the installation process for non-professionals
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanism provides a customizable, adaptable, and aesthetically pleasing locking solution that prevents wear on painted surfaces and allows for easy configuration, suitable for various hood styles without requiring multiple fasteners, and can be installed by non-professionals.
Implementation Method 1
a spring receiver member substantially aligned with and detachably connected to the hood pin through a fastening slot
Implementation Method 2
to resist loosing of the pivotally mounted twist lock handle until application of an active force to the hood
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A latching apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first assembly disposed on a first portion of a vehicle. A second assembly is disposed on a second portion of the vehicle and configured to detachably attach with the first assembly. The second assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to prevent damage upon the first assembly detected in an undesirable orientation during insertion therein.