Vehicle Hood Locking Mechanism Single-Pull Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle hood unlocking systems either require inconvenient double-pull actions or lack safety features, with single-pull systems being cumbersome and double-pull systems being less safe in accident scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A hood locking mechanism comprising a latch, safety catch, and locking member that allows for single-pull operation by mechanically displacing the latch and electronically activating the locking member only when predetermined vehicle conditions are met, ensuring safety and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-pull hood latch system is used, then the opening operation is simplified to one manual action, but the user must manually release the safety catch which is inconvenient and risks soiling hands or clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically releases the safety catch after detecting the vehicle condition (parking brake engaged or gear in Park), eliminating the need for manual intervention. The hood locking mechanism serves itself by automatically completing the full opening sequence once initiated by the user pulling the interior handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical single-pull system with an electromechanical system that uses sensors and control units to detect vehicle conditions and automatically actuate the safety catch release, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated electronic control.
2Ease of operation
If a double-pull latch system is used, then the safety catch manual release is eliminated providing a premium feeling, but the system is considered less safe in accidents or crash situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor vehicle conditions (parking brake status, gear position) and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism ensures that the automatic safety catch release only occurs when safe conditions are detected, maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of safety conditions (parking brake engaged or gear in Park) before allowing the safety catch to be automatically released. This preliminary action ensures that the hood can only be fully opened when the vehicle is in a safe state, preventing accidental opening during driving or crashes.
3Ease of operation
If the hood can be opened with a single pull action, then convenience is improved, but the risk of accidental hood opening during driving increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of safety conditions (parking brake engaged or gear in Park) before allowing the safety catch to be automatically released. This preliminary action ensures that the hood can only be fully opened when the vehicle is in a safe state, preventing accidental opening during driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors vehicle conditions through sensors and provides feedback to determine whether automatic safety catch release should be permitted. This feedback loop prevents accidental opening by only enabling full hood opening when safe conditions are confirmed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for unlocking a hood of a vehicle, wherein a hood locking mechanism comprises a latch, a safety catch, a locking member, and a striker; wherein the latch and the safety catch are arranged for engaging the striker and the locking member is arranged for engaging the safety catch, wherein the method comprises the steps; manually displacing a door of the vehicle, wherein the door in a closed position is blocking an inner hood handle, from the closed position to an open position in a fully locked mode of the hood locking mechanism for giving access to the inner hood handle; manually activating the inner hood handle for moving the hood locking mechanism from the fully locked mode to an intermediate locked mode, wherein the activation of the inner hood handle mechanically is displacing the latch from a closed position where the latch is in locking engagement with the striker to an open position where the latch is disengaged from the striker; triggering a sensor by the latch, when the latch is displaced to the open position, wherein an electrical signal from the sensor is activating the locking member after a predetermined time interval if at least one predetermined vehicle condition is fulfilled, where upon activation, the locking member is displaced from a first position where the locking member is in locking engagement with the safety catch to a second position where the locking member is disengaged from the safety catch; displacing the safety catch if the at least one predetermined vehicle condition is fulfilled from a closed state wherein the safety catch is in locking engagement with the striker to an open state where the safety catch is disengaged from the striker for moving the hood locking mechanism from the intermediate locked mode to an open mode.