Hood Restraint Device With Rotating Latch And Catch Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hood restraint devices face challenges in adapting to varying vehicle designs and experience excessive wear, leading to potential jamming or incorrect engagement, and are either expensive or require operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A restraint device comprising a latch and catch mechanism that rotates between specific positions, using arms to interact and control the hood's opening and closing, preventing unintentional closure while allowing intentional operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slotted brace with pin arrangement is used to prevent hood closure, then the hood can be restrained from closing unintentionally, but the device generates excessive wear on restraint components and is difficult to adapt to different vehicle designs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a dynamic latch mechanism that rotates between open and closed positions rather than a static slotted brace arrangement. The latch pivots on an axis and interacts with movable arms on the catch, allowing the system to adapt to hood movement while maintaining reliable restraint. This dynamic approach reduces wear compared to the rigid slotted brace design.
2Reliability
If a gas spring with sleeve and magnet arrangement is used to prevent hood closure, then the hood can be restrained from closing unintentionally, but the device is expensive and vulnerable to damage if the hood is forced closed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the expensive gas spring with a simpler, more durable mechanical latch and catch system using basic components like pivoting arms and a latch mechanism. This simpler design is less prone to damage and more cost-effective while maintaining the hood restraint function.
3Reliability
If a cable with clasp arrangement is used to prevent hood closure, then the hood can be restrained from closing, but the device requires operator intervention to attach and is not always engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a self-activating restraint system where the latch automatically engages when the hood opens and automatically releases when the hood closes. The mechanism uses the hood's own movement to trigger the restraint and release actions, eliminating the need for operator intervention required by manual cable systems.
4Reliability
If a slotted brace arrangement is used to prevent hood closure, then the hood can be restrained from closing unintentionally, but the components experience excessive wear leading to jamming or incorrect engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic latch mechanism with rotating components that accommodate hood movement naturally, reducing stress and wear on restraint components. The pivoting latch and movable arms follow the hood's motion轨迹, preventing the excessive wear and jamming problems experienced by rigid slotted brace arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint device includes a latch and a catch. The latch is rotatable between a first latch position and a second latch position about a latch axis of rotation, which is remote from the latch. The catch is provided with a first arm and a second arm. The catch is rotatable about a catch axis of rotation between a first catch position and a second catch position. The catch axis of rotation extends through the catch. When the catch is in the first catch position, the latch, as it is rotated from the first latch position toward the second latch position, contacts the first arm to rotate the catch about the catch axis of rotation, thereby allowing the latch to rotate about the latch axis of rotation past the catch. When the catch is in the first catch position, the latch, as it is rotated from the second latch position toward the first latch position, contacts the first arm, which thereby engages the latch and restrains further rotation of the latch about the latch axis of rotation toward the first latch position. When the catch is in the second catch position, the latch, as it is rotated from the second latch position toward the first latch position, contacts the second arm to rotate the catch about the catch axis of rotation, whereby the catch transitions from the second position to the first position as the latch rotates about the latch axis of rotation past the catch and toward the first latch position.