Multi-Link Hood Hinge Assembly for Impact Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hood hinge assemblies for vehicles do not effectively prevent misalignment of the hood during impacts and can be bulky, making them difficult to integrate without interfering with other components.
Innovation Solution
A hood hinge assembly with a base link, deploy link, and hood link, along with intermediate links and a tether, that pivots about multiple pivot points to manage hood movement during service and impact scenarios, utilizing an actuator and sensor system to maintain alignment and prevent fore and aft movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable hinge assembly is designed to move the back end of the hood away from the engine block during impact, then the hood can be lifted away from the vehicle body, but the hinge becomes bulky and difficult to incorporate without interfering with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into multiple independent links (base link, deploy link, hood link, intermediate links) that are coupled together through pivot points. This segmentation allows each link to perform a specific function while maintaining overall compactness, resolving the contradiction between providing impact protection and avoiding bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly utilizes multi-dimensional pivoting motion through multiple pivot points arranged in specific spatial configurations. The links pivot relative to each other in different directions and planes, enabling the hood to move away from the engine block during impact while keeping the hinge assembly compact and non-interfering with other components.
2Reliability
If a movable hinge assembly is designed to move the back end of the hood away from the engine block during impact, then the hood can be lifted away from the vehicle body, but the hinge does not prevent movement of the hood in the fore and aft directions, resulting in misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates specific geometric features and pivot point arrangements that provide different constraints in different directions. The linkage geometry is designed to allow vertical movement during impact while constraining fore and aft movement, achieving both impact protection and alignment precision through localized structural characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly dynamically adapts its constraints based on the direction and magnitude of applied forces. During normal operation, the linkage maintains precise alignment through its geometric configuration. During impact, the links pivot in a controlled sequence to absorb impact energy while the tether and linkage geometry work together to prevent excessive fore and aft movement, ensuring the hood returns to proper alignment.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple links and pivot points are used to manage hood movement, then the assembly can lift the hood's back end during impacts while minimizing misalignment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each link in the hinge assembly serves multiple functions: the base link provides mounting and structural support, the deploy link enables controlled deployment during impact, the hood link connects to the hood and facilitates movement, and the intermediate links provide additional pivot points for controlled motion. The tether also serves dual purposes by limiting deployment and maintaining tension. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing complexity while achieving precise alignment.
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
The assembly effectively lifts the hood's back end during impacts while minimizing misalignment and maintaining compactness to avoid interference with other components, ensuring robust and stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a tether extending between the hood link and the base link
Implementation Method 2
the base link and the deploy link pivot with one another relative to the base link
Data Source
AI summary
A hood hinge assembly is provided for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle. The assembly includes a base link configured to be coupled to the vehicle; a deploy link coupled to the base link; and a hood link coupled to the deploy link and configured to be coupled to the hood. In a first transition from a first position into a second position, the base link and the deploy link pivot with one another relative to the base link, and, in a second transition from the first position into a third position, the hood link pivots relative to the deploy link.