Dual Unlocking Hood Latch Mechanism for In-Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive hood latch systems require users to exit the vehicle to manually unlock the hood, which is inconvenient and prone to accidental unlocking due to moving air.
Innovation Solution
A dual unlocking hood latch system featuring a base with a moving groove, a latch gear with multiple locking portions, a pawl for rotational motion control, and an elastically biased stopper portion that allows the hood to be opened from inside the vehicle by transmitting rotational motion through an operating cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hood latch system is used, then the hood can be locked securely, but the user must exit the vehicle to manually unlock the hood
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking operation is segmented into two distinct phases: a first unlocking operation that releases the latch gear from the locked position to an intermediate position, and a second unlocking operation that releases the safety hook. This segmentation allows the primary unlocking function to be performed from inside the vehicle while maintaining safety through the intermediate position requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch gear serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operating cable (activated from inside the vehicle) and the safety hook. When the operating cable is pulled, it moves the latch gear to an intermediate position that releases the primary lock but maintains the secondary safety lock, enabling partial unlocking from inside the vehicle without directly releasing the hood.
2Reliability
If a dual locking structure is used, then accidental unlocking is prevented, but two separate operations are required to open the hood
Solution Approach 1:
The latch gear dynamically transitions between three positions: locked position (engaging both latch and safety hook), intermediate position (engaging only safety hook), and unlocked position (disengaging both). This dynamic positioning allows the system to provide different levels of security at different stages of the unlocking process, making the dual-locking sequence more intuitive and easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The first unlocking operation performs a preliminary action by moving the latch gear to the intermediate position, which releases the primary latch engagement while maintaining the safety hook engagement. This preliminary unlocking step prepares the system for the second unlocking operation, making the overall process more manageable and less prone to error than a single-step direct release.
3Reliability
If the latch gear is designed with multiple locking portions, then secure locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch gear is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as: (1) a locking mechanism for the striker, (2) a transmission mechanism for the operating cable, (3) a position indicator for the unlocking sequence, and (4) a release mechanism for the safety hook. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining secure locking through its multiple locking portions.
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
Enables the user to open the automobile hood while remaining inside the vehicle, enhancing convenience and preventing accidental unlocking by requiring two controlled operations to fully unlock the hood.
Implementation Method 1
a stopper portion that is elastically biased to a direction of contact with the pawl when the stopper portion is pushed by the pawl to restrain pivoting movement of the latch gear
Data Source
AI summary
A dual unlocking hood latch system allows a user to open a hood of the automobile vehicle while staying in the vehicle. The dual unlocking hood latch system includes a base fixed to a main body. The base includes a moving groove portion to guide the movement of a striker. A latch gear, which includes a plurality of locking portions, is pivotably attached to a front side of the base to retain the striker when the striker is entered through the moving groove portion to a locking position. A pawl, pivotably attached to the base, controls the movement of the latch gear by transmitting rotational motion when in contact. And a stopper portion, pivotably attached to the base, is elastically biased to move toward the pawl such that the stopper portion is pushed by the pawl to restrain pivoting movement of the latch gear.