Breakaway Vehicle Hood Hinge Deformable Notch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle hood safety systems that use pyrotechnic actuators for pedestrian protection are costly, prone to false triggers, and have limited reversibility, necessitating a more effective and economical passive safety solution.
Innovation Solution
A break-away hinge assembly for vehicle hoods that includes a pivotally coupled hood and body member with a deformable notch mechanism, allowing disengagement from a pivot pin upon impact, eliminating the need for sensors and pyrotechnic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pyrotechnic actuators are used for active pedestrian protection, then pedestrian safety is improved, but system cost increases and false triggers occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic actuator system with a passive mechanical hinge assembly. The hinge uses a deformable body member with a notch that wraps around the pivot pin during normal operation, providing secure attachment. Upon impact, the deformable portion yields mechanically to release the hood, eliminating sensors, controllers, and pyrotechnic components while maintaining pedestrian protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to automatically respond to impact forces without external control systems. The deformable body member self-actuates upon receiving impact force, causing the hood to lift passively. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for active sensing, decision-making, and actuation systems, reducing complexity and cost while ensuring reliable pedestrian protection.
2Reliability
If pyrotechnic actuators are used for hood lifting, then protective position is achieved, but reversibility is lost after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic released state based on applied force. During normal operation, the deformable body member maintains a wrapped configuration around the pivot pin, providing stable attachment. Upon impact exceeding a threshold force, the deformable portion dynamically yields and permanently deforms, allowing the hood to lift to its protective position. The system is designed for single-use operation where the permanent deformation serves as a safety indicator.
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 hinge assembly provides passive pedestrian protection by disengaging the hood from the pivot pin upon impact, meeting safety standards without the drawbacks of active systems, reducing costs, and minimizing false triggers.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the application of the impact force on the hood member, a portion of the hood member or the body member deforms such that hood member or the body member disengages from pivot pin
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for a hood of a vehicle is provided. The hinge assembly includes a body member and a hood member. The hood member is pivotally coupled with the body member through a pivot pin. The hood member or the body member partially wraps around the pivot pin such that the hood member or the body member defines a notch. The hood member or the body member is adapted to disengage from the pivot pin on application of an impact force on the hood member.