Deployable Secondary Latch Handle for Vehicle Hood
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor vehicle hood latch systems require operators to manually search for and locate the secondary latch release handle, which can be difficult, especially in poorly lit areas or at night, due to its varying location and the narrow opening of the partially raised hood.
Innovation Solution
A secondary latch release handle arm that extends longitudinally forward from a retracted position to a deployed position upon disengagement of the primary latch, allowing for easy actuation of the secondary latch without the need for manual searching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the secondary latch release handle is located in a fixed position under the hood, then the latch assembly structure is simple, but the operator must manually search for and locate the handle which is difficult especially in poorly lit areas or at night
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary latch release handle is made dynamically deployable rather than fixed. The handle arm is movable between a retracted position (stored under the hood) and a deployed position (extending forward beyond the hood). This dynamic positioning allows the handle to be automatically presented to the operator when needed, improving ease of operation without requiring permanent structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latch release handle is automatically deployed in advance when the primary latch is released. The system performs the action of presenting the handle to the operator before the operator needs to manually search for it. This preliminary deployment action eliminates the searching difficulty while maintaining simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the secondary latch release handle is made deployable forward beyond the hood, then the operator can easily actuate the secondary latch, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment mechanism of the secondary latch release handle is merged with the existing primary latch release mechanism. The handle deployment is integrated into the sequence of primary latch release operations, so that the same operational sequence that releases the primary latch also automatically deploys the secondary handle. This merging approach provides easy operation while minimizing additional mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism comprises a latch assembly including a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch restrains the hood in a released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to an unlocked position. The secondary latch secures a striker to restrain the hood in a released position and allows the hood to move to an open position upon manipulation. An improved secondary latch release handle comprises a secondary latch release handle arm having a retracted position and a deployed position outside of the motor vehicle, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward relative the motor vehicle in each of the retracted and deployed positions, wherein the secondary latch release handle arm is extended forward to the deployed position by purely translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position.