Vehicle Hood Hinge Actuator for Pedestrian Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hood designs face challenges in effectively raising the rear portion during pedestrian collisions, leading to limited deformation and increased complexity, cost, and potential head injury due to space constraints between the hood and underlying components.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with an actuator that moves a rod to extend and lift the rear portion of the hood when a collision is imminent, increasing space between the hood and underlying components, thereby reducing the likelihood of interference and improving Head Injury Criteria (HIC).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hood is designed with thin material to allow deformation for energy absorption, then head injury criteria are improved, but the space between the hood and underlying components is reduced, limiting deformation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is pre-configured with an actuator that can proactively raise the rear portion of the hood before impact occurs. This preliminary action creates additional space between the hood and underlying components, allowing the thin hood material to deform more effectively during pedestrian impact without being constrained by engine components.
2Volume of moving object
If a device is incorporated into the body structure to raise the rear portion of the hood, then deformation space is increased, but design complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hood raising device is merged with the existing hinge assembly rather than being incorporated into the body structure. The actuator and rod mechanism are integrated into the hinge, combining two functions (hood support and hood raising) into a single assembly, thereby reducing design complexity and avoiding the need for separate body structure modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the hood in normal operation and actively raising the rear portion during imminent impact. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated raising mechanisms in the body structure, reducing overall system complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If a device is incorporated into the hinge to raise the rear portion of the hood, then deformation space is increased, but hinge operation complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly with the actuator is designed to be a self-contained unit that can be independently manufactured and installed. The actuator integrates with the hinge components, allowing the entire assembly to serve itself without requiring complex external control systems or additional hinge modifications, thereby managing complexity while achieving the hood raising function.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a hood of a vehicle includes a first bracket, a member coupled to and rotatable relative to the first bracket, and a second bracket coupled to and rotatable relative to the member. An actuator includes a base connected to the first bracket and a rod moveable relative to the base. The rod moves from a retracted position to an extended position in contact with the second bracket.