Electrically Actuated Vehicle Hood Latch System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hood latch systems require drivers to manually release both the primary and secondary latches, which can be inconvenient, especially when the hood covers a storage area, as it necessitates exiting the vehicle to open the secondary latch.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electrically actuated system that allows both the primary and secondary hood latches to be controlled using a wireless key fob or console button, with a mechanism to determine if the vehicle is below a minimum speed threshold before fully opening the hood, ensuring safety by only fully opening when stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mechanical release system is used for both primary and secondary hood latches, then the hood can be securely held in a partially open position, but the driver must exit the vehicle to release the secondary latch, reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical release system with an electrically actuated system. Electrical actuators are integrated into both the primary and secondary hood latches, allowing the driver to release both latches simultaneously using a single interior button press or wireless key fob command, eliminating the need to exit the vehicle to release the secondary latch
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of both primary and secondary latch releases into a single control interface. The electrical actuation system allows both latches to be released together through one action (button press or key fob command), combining what were previously separate mechanical operations into a unified electronic control system
2Ease of operation
If both primary and secondary electrical actuators are triggered to fully open the hood, then convenience is improved, but safety risk increases when the vehicle is moving
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from the vehicle speed sensor to the hood latch controller. The controller continuously monitors vehicle speed and uses this feedback to determine whether to allow full hood opening. When speed exceeds the threshold, the controller prevents activation of the secondary actuator, thereby preventing hazardous hood opening while the vehicle is in motion
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time vehicle operating conditions. The hood opening function is not static but adapts to vehicle speed: at low speeds both actuators can be activated for full opening, while at higher speeds the system restricts activation to maintain safety. This dynamic response ensures both convenience and safety across different operating scenarios
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a speed threshold check is implemented before activating both actuators, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical safety interlocks with an electronic control system. The controller electronically monitors vehicle speed through sensor input and electronically controls the activation of electrical actuators based on speed threshold comparisons, providing safer and more reliable control than mechanical systems while maintaining ease of implementation
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide for controlling a hood latch using an electrically actuated primary hood latch and an electrically actuated secondary hood latch. To open the hood of the vehicle, a person presses a hood release button. Before attempting to release either the primary hood latch or secondary hood latch, a determination is made whether a vehicle speed of the vehicle is below a minimum vehicle speed threshold. If the vehicle speed is below this threshold, both the primary electrical actuator for the primary hood latch and the secondary electrical actuator for the secondary hood latch are triggered, thereby releasing hood from a closed position into an open position. When the vehicle speed is above this vehicle speed threshold, only the primary electrical actuator for primary hood latch is triggered; leaving the hood in a partially open position held in place by the secondary hood latch.