Two-Step Link Hood Latch Apparatus for Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing two-step link hood latch apparatus for vehicles is cumbersome and inconvenient for drivers to operate, requiring them to release the first lock from inside the vehicle and then manually open the hood by stepping out and operating a safety lever, which affects operability and visibility during driving.
Innovation Solution
A two-step link hood latch apparatus with a claw and pawl mechanism that uses a pivot and link to transmit the pulling force from a release handle, allowing the hood to be opened with two steps of operation from inside the vehicle, eliminating the need to manually access the engine room and improving operability by adjusting the stroke through 'U' shaped slots and utilizing springs for efficient rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional two-step hood latch apparatus is used with a safety lever, then the hood can be securely locked, but the driver must step out of the vehicle and manually access the engine room to operate the safety lever, which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the safety lever function with the existing release lever mechanism by introducing a link that connects the release lever to the pawl. This allows the driver to operate both the first lock (claw) and second lock (safety device) functions from inside the vehicle through a single release lever operation, eliminating the need for manual access to the engine room while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a link as an intermediary component that transmits the operating force from the release lever to the pawl. This link acts as a mediator that enables remote operation of the safety device from the driver's seat, solving the contradiction by providing ease of operation without compromising the locking mechanism's security and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a release lever with cable operation is used to release the first lock, then the hood can be unlocked from inside the vehicle, but the motion is directly passed to the driver through the cable resulting in poor operability
Solution Approach 1:
The link serves as an intermediary between the release lever and the pawl, transforming the cable's linear motion into rotational motion of the pawl. This intermediary mechanism improves operability by providing mechanical advantage and smoother operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic motion transformation by converting the linear pulling motion of the cable into rotational motion of the pawl through the link mechanism. This dynamic transformation improves operability by allowing the driver to apply force in a more natural pulling motion while achieving the desired rotational movement of the locking components.
3Ease of operation
If the hood is opened with a single operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the two-step safety locking structure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both locking functions (first lock via claw and second lock via safety device) into a single integrated operation sequence. The link mechanism ensures that operating the release lever sequentially activates both unlocking actions, maintaining the two-step safety protocol while allowing completion of both steps from inside the vehicle through one continuous operation.
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
Enables the hood to be opened solely with indoor manipulation, enhancing convenience and reducing the need to access the engine room, thereby improving operability and safety by simplifying the two-step locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot disposed at the base plate to be rotatable in a hinge structure and transmitting a pulling force generated from the release handle
Implementation Method 2
a link connecting the pivot and the pawl and rotating the pawl in linkage with the pivot
Data Source
AI summary
A two step link hood latch apparatus for a vehicle allows a hood to be opened only with an operation of a release handle inside a vehicle. The apparatus includes a claw, the pawl, a pivot, and a link. The claw is disposed at a base plate to be rotatable, restrains a hood striker through a stop groove, and is restrained to a pawl through first and second stop ends in first step and second step lock states. The pawl is disposed at the base plate to be rotatable, and restrains the rotation of the claw in steps by using the stop protrusion. The pivot is disposed at the base plate to be rotatable in a hinge structure, and transmits a pulling force generated from the release handle. The link connects the pivot and the pawl and rotates the pawl in linkage with the pivot.