Rotating Retainer Mechanism for Vehicle Hood Prop Rod
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hood prop rods often inadvertently disengage from the hood inner panel, causing the hood to fall, as they rely on gravity for security, which is unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A hood prop assembly with a rotating retainer mechanism that includes a T-shaped portion and a biasing member, allowing the mechanism to lock and unlock, ensuring secure engagement with the hood panel slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gravity-dependent injection molded end piece or hook is used to engage with the hood, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the hood may inadvertently disengage and fall down
Solution Approach 1:
The prop rod incorporates a rotatable attachment member that can transition between locked and unlocked positions. The retainer mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, allowing dynamic adjustment between engagement and disengagement states, thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer mechanism is positioned within the attachment member housing, with the T-shaped portion nested within the slot of the hood inner panel when engaged. The biasing member is contained within the attachment member, creating a compact nested structure that achieves reliable locking without excessive complexity
2Reliability
If a gravity-dependent injection molded end piece or hook is used to engage with the hood, then the device is easy to operate, but the hood may inadvertently disengage and fall down
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member automatically biases the attachment member to rotate into the locked position where the retainer mechanism engages with the slot. The system self-locks without requiring user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable engagement through the rotational locking mechanism
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
Prevents inadvertent disengagement of the hood from the prop rod, maintaining the hood in a raised position securely and allowing easy transition between locked and unlocked states.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is positioned within the cavity and between the distal and proximal ends of the housing and rotatably biases the housing and the retainer mechanism with respect to the second end of the elongated member between the locked position and the unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein are directed to a hood prop assembly for a vehicle having a hood panel with a slot. The hood prop assembly includes an elongated member, a housing, and a retainer mechanism. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the vehicle. The housing includes a cavity. The housing further includes a distal end and a proximate end. The cavity extends axially from the proximate end and receives the second end of the elongated member. The retainer mechanism extends from the distal end of the housing. The housing and the retainer mechanism rotatably move with respect to the second end of the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the retainer mechanism engages with the slot to retain the hood panel and in the unlocked position, the retainer mechanism disengages with the slot.