Hinge Mechanism with Breakable Element for Pedestrian Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle hinge mechanisms fail to reliably transition the hood from a closed to an accident-open position for pedestrian airbag deployment, limiting the deformation path and effectiveness of airbag deployment in collisions.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a connecting element that can be broken to allow the rear end of the hood to pivot upward, enabling a slit-like opening for airbag deployment, utilizing a locking and unlocking lever mechanism actuated by the airbag's force to change the kinematics of the hood's movement during an accident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the hood is designed to pivot only in a horizontal arc, then the hinge mechanism is simple, but the deformation path is limited and airbag deployment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism transitions from a static single-axis pivot to a dynamic two-stage motion system. The connecting element can break to enable vertical movement, transforming the hood's motion from a fixed horizontal arc to a dynamic combination of horizontal pivoting and vertical displacement, thereby extending the deformation path without permanently complicating the hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a first part attached to the hood, a second part attached to the vehicle body, and a connecting element that can break. This segmentation allows the system to provide both horizontal pivoting (first part) and vertical movement (second part) capabilities, extending the deformation path while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
2Reliability
If the connecting element is designed to break in an accident, then the deformation path is extended for airbag deployment, but the reliability of the hinge mechanism in normal operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is pre-designed with a controlled weakness or break point that remains intact during normal operation but is intended to fail under accident conditions. This preliminary design ensures the hinge maintains full strength for regular use while automatically enabling the extended deformation path when the breaking force threshold is exceeded during a collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the connecting element are specifically engineered to exhibit different strength characteristics under different load conditions. The element maintains high strength during normal operation but is designed to break at a predetermined force threshold during accidents, thereby changing the hinge mechanism's kinematic parameters from a rigid single-axis system to a flexible two-stage motion system only when needed.
3Ease of operation
If additional devices are added to raise the hood and unlock hinges, then the hood can be positioned for airbag deployment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The first part provides horizontal pivoting for engine access, the second part provides vertical movement for airbag deployment positioning, and the connecting element provides automatic accident detection and activation. This merging eliminates the need for separate raising devices and unlocking mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed as a universal system that serves multiple purposes: normal hood opening for maintenance, accident detection, automatic hood raising for airbag deployment, and creating the slit-like opening for pedestrian protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate devices for each function, thereby improving operational capability without linearly increasing device count.
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 a larger deformation path for the hood and effective deployment of airbags by allowing the rear end to move vertically upward, enhancing pedestrian protection in collisions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one airbag module with a gas generator and an airbag for protecting pedestrians
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes a hinge mechanism supporting a hood and an airbag configured to deploy close to or into the exterior of the motor vehicle for protecting pedestrians. The hinge mechanism is operably for positioning the hood in a normal closed position to close off an engine compartment and a normal open position providing access to the engine compartment for servicing work. The hinge mechanism has a breakable connecting element for connecting a first part and a second part of the hinge mechanism. In the event of an accident the connecting element is broken, so that a rear end area of the hood is movable from the normal closed position into an accident position which is partly open in the area of the front windscreen. The second part is supported by a mechanism such that the hood is movable relative to the body.