Hood Lock Cable Routing via Radiator Support Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle front structures face increased mass and cost due to the addition of protector members to prevent access to the hood lock cable, which is necessary to secure the hood from theft but adds unnecessary weight and expense.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure design that incorporates a radiator support upper with projections on its rear surface to route the hood lock cable, preventing access from the front without the need for additional protector members, using integrally molded resin components to define a space that secures the cable and restricts its movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protector member is added to prevent access to the hood lock cable, then security against theft is improved, but vehicle mass and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable routing function with the radiator support structure by providing projections that extend from the vehicle rear surface to define a cable receiving space. The hood lock cable is routed through this integrated space, eliminating the need for separate protector members while maintaining security against theft.
2Reliability
If a protector member is added to prevent access to the hood lock cable, then security against theft is improved, but vehicle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable routing structure with the existing radiator support, eliminating the need for additional protector members. This integration reduces part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining the security function against hood lock cable access.
3Ease of operation
If the hood lock cable is routed exposedly, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to fraudulent access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent routes the hood lock cable in a three-dimensional space defined by projections extending from the vehicle rear surface. This spatial arrangement protects the cable from front-side access while maintaining operational accessibility from the interior, effectively separating security and operation requirements through dimensional positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front structure includes: an upper section that extends in a vehicle width direction and supports an upper portion of a radiator body; a latch structure that is attached to an upper portion of the upper section and locks a hood in a closed state; and a cable that is coupled to the latch structure and is used to operate the latch structure. At least two projections, each of which is projected to the rear of a vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, are provided on a vehicle rear surface of the upper section. The cable is arranged in a space that is defined by the two projections and the vehicle rear surface of the upper section. In this way, it is possible to provide the vehicle front structure capable of suppressing increases in mass and cost while preventing access to the cable.