Hood Patents (Class 296/193.11)
  • Patent number: 7926603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hood assembly for a vehicle having a hood coupled to the vehicle and pivotal between open and closed positions. A contoured lever is movably disposed between the hood and the vehicle, and a slot having first and second ends is formed within the lever. A lock detent formed within the contoured lever is in communication with the second end of the slot, and a pin mounted to a portion of the vehicle is slidably received within the slot. When the hood is opened, the pin is received within the lock detent, thereby locking the hood in the open position. The hood assembly also includes a release handle pivotally secured to the lever that is sized and configured to engage the pin when the pin is positioned within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Greg William Bonsen
  • Patent number: 7913795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for raising the bonnet of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. The safety device includes a pyrotechnic actuator provided with a thrust piston secured to a mechanism for raising the bonnet and able to deploy the said mechanism which is itself secured to the said bonnet, and a blocking device intended to block the said actuator in a given position. The main characteristic of this device is that it is made up of a shock-absorbing device employed when a pedestrian hits the bonnet which has been raised, so that the assembly consisting of the bonnet, the raising mechanism and the piston can move under the effect of the impact while at the same time being retarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: SNPE Materiaux Energetiques
    Inventors: Evrard Borg, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
  • Patent number: 7878578
    Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure includes a hood having a hood outer panel and a hood inner panel, and an impact absorber. The hood is openably and closably provided on an upper portion of a vehicle body constituent member. The impact absorber is interposed between the hood and the vehicle body constituent member and abuts against the vehicle body constituent member when the hood is closed. The impact absorber is mounted on the hood inner panel such that an end of the impact absorber projects toward the hood outer panel. The impact absorber includes upper and lower elastic portions. An impact inputted from the hood outer panel is absorbed such that the hood outer panel secondarily collides against the upper elastic portion. An impact caused when the hood is closed is absorbed such that the lower elastic portion abuts against the vehicle body constituent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Iwai, Yusuke Inomata, Yoshisada Kitagawa, Keigo Kiryuu, Echiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 7871118
    Abstract: A body-side tie-up point for a drive of a lid for a body aperture of a vehicle. The tie-up point has an inner reinforcing plate which is fastened on the outside to a sealing duct laterally adjacent to the body aperture, and an outer reinforcing plate which is fastened to the inner reinforcing plate on a side facing away from the sealing duct. A strengthening element is provided which bears against the sealing duct and the inner reinforcing plate in a contact zone on a side facing away from the inner reinforcing plate. The outer reinforcing plate directly or indirectly supports the strengthening element in a region spaced apart from the contact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Rainer Stahl
  • Publication number: 20110001338
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, Russell Long
  • Patent number: 7862107
    Abstract: An intake system cover for a vehicle is mounted in an engine compartment to cover a reservoir tank that stores coolant for an engine. The intake system cover for the vehicle is formed with a light introduction opening for introducing light to be directed toward a liquid level gauge at a side of the reservoir tank. The visibility of the liquid level of the reservoir tank at the liquid level gauge is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Oba, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7849559
    Abstract: A vehicle hood stop arranged to collapse if the vehicle hood is struck by an object with an impact force exceeding a predetermined limit. The hood stop includes an upper section arranged below a lower surface of the hood, a lower section arranged to be attached to the vehicle, and at least one impact absorbing sections, where a first impact absorbing sections includes at least three collapsible supporting members arranged to diverge from one another as they extend from the upper section toward the lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Lindmark, Christer Bjornrud
  • Patent number: 7845715
    Abstract: A level assembly hood hinge unit includes a side outer panel having a space between an upper panel and a lower panel in which a hood hinge may be disposed, and a stud bolt provided on the lower panel, a hinge bracket which may be configured for assembly engagement while it laterally moves along the lower panel towards the space of the side outer panel, and which may be provided with an assembly portion, positioned in the space of the side outer panel, at an upper portion of the hinge bracket and an insertion groove at a rear portion of the hinge bracket, in which the stud bolt may be inserted for stopping movement of the hinge bracket, and/or a hinge arm which may be to be assembled with the hinge bracket in the assembly portion by a hinge pin, and which may be provided with a hood combining portion to which a hood panel may be mounted at an end portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Kyoon Lim
  • Publication number: 20100270829
    Abstract: In a vehicular hood hinge arrangement structure in which the rear end part of a front hood is pivotally supported on a vehicle body via a hood hinge attached to the top end surface of a dash side front member at the side of a cowl box adopting a hollow structure the upper side of which is open, the hood hinge is arranged on the outside in the vehicle width direction of a vertical surface extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a cowl side panel closing the side end of the cowl box and in front of a front surface of a side body outer panel (front pillar) erected almost vertically in the side part of a vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Furumoto
  • Patent number: 7815249
    Abstract: The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, Russell Long
  • Patent number: 7810877
    Abstract: An automobile hood includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel includes a frame-shaped first inner member that joins with the outer panel and a second inner member disposed within the frame of the first inner member. The first inner member includes an outer edge portion, a first inner concave portion that forms an airspace portion, and an inner edge portion. The second inner member includes a second inner concave portion that has joint portions that join with the first inner member and form the airspace portions, panel joint portions that join with the outer panel at position on a center side of the panel, and an extension portion that extends into the first inner concave portion to join with the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Ishitobi
  • Publication number: 20100244494
    Abstract: A plurality of beads (2) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction are formed parallel to each other lined up in the vehicle width direction on an inner panel (1). Accordingly, an upper flange (5), a vertical wall (4), a lower flange (3), and a vertical wall (4) are formed connected in this order at a cross-section in the vehicle width direction. The vertical wall (4) includes a lower vertical wall (4a) and an upper vertical wall (4b), and there is a bend line (4c) at the boundary between the two which is bent. The inclination angle of the upper vertical wall (4b) is between 30° and 60° inclusive, which is greater than the inclination angle of the lower vertical wall (4a). The bend line (4c) is positioned more than ½ way up between the lower flange (3) and the upper flange (5) so as to be closer to the upper flange (5) than the lower flange (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yoshida, Koji Fukumoto, Koki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7802345
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage hinge having a restraining catch arranged to prevent the hinge from opening and translating rearward when said hinge is subjected to an external force causing a transverse deflection of its linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Bob George Mathew, Curtis Scott Hargraves, Jeffrey Daniel Krzeszak, Michael James Reeves, James Chapp, Jr., Jeffrey Michael McGarry, Andrew J. Poulios
  • Patent number: 7789179
    Abstract: The invention is a method to make compression molded motor vehicle parts from a charge of composite material with resin and fibers, such as sheet molded compound. The parts have voids, such as holes and gaps, that form in the compression mold under heat and pressure and not in secondary processing steps. The resin in the charge is melts in a reservoir in the mold to form resinous material from the charge. A flow front of resinous material is allowed to flow into a flow path around a restriction corresponding to the shape of the void from the reservoir. The flow front carries sufficient reinforcing fibers into the flow path. At least part of a border for the void forms in the flow path. The configuration is allowed to at least partially set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Steiner, Floyd A. Etzler, Peter J. Voors, Jerry J. Connett, Steven A. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7774900
    Abstract: A hinge for use in a motor vehicle, including first and second members pivotably coupled to each other. First and second position retainers are coupled between the first member and the second member to releasably secure the second member in a first holding position relative to the first member. The first position retainer has a first holding portion and the second position retainer has a second holding portion such that one of the first and second position retainers is structured and arranged to move relative to the other of the first and second position retainers such that the first and second holding portions move into and out from a first holding position. The first and second holding portions are structured and arranged to be releasably secured to each other in the first holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David W Shaw
  • Patent number: 7770955
    Abstract: An automotive closure panel assembly may include an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel may have a flange that protrudes from a body of the outer panel. The outer panel may also have more than one tabs that are each spaced along the flange and that each extend away from the flange. Each of the tabs may be folded over the inner panel during a hemming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, John E. Carsley, Gary R. Pelowski
  • Publication number: 20100194148
    Abstract: According to an inner panel for vehicles of the present invention, a bead forming surface is so provided as to extend continuously with an upper edge part of a wall rising from a bottom surface of the inner panel. Upper beads and lower beads are formed on the bead forming surface. The upper and lower beads extend in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and are arranged alternately in a width direction of the vehicle. The bead forming surface is positioned above a middle position between an upper surface of the upper bead and a lower surface of the lower bead. Further, the bead forming surface is positioned lower than the upper surface of the upper bead by 3 mm or more. With this structure, a sufficient first acceleration wave can be secured by expanding a stress propagation range in a direction perpendicular to the length of the beads with respect to the first acceleration wave and, also, by reducing a local deformation to be caused by a deformation load from the above of the vehicle during a head impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Koji Fukumoto, Masatoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7766419
    Abstract: A sliding panel arrangement for a vehicle wherein a panel is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle body, at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being disposed on the panel, the other of the at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being adapted to be coupled to the vehicle body. The longitudinal member is sized and disposed to slide within the linear bearings, the panel sliding between closed and open positions over a vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products inc.
    Inventors: Andrew James Krolnik, John Marsolek
  • Patent number: 7766402
    Abstract: A bumper mounting system (10) for locating and installing a bumper (14) on a vehicle having a chassis and a hood (18) includes a chassis support member (42) pivotally mountable to a portion of the vehicle hood (18) and adjustably mountable to a portion of the vehicle chassis. The system also includes a bumper mounting member (46) mountable to both an interior portion of the bumper (14) and a portion of the chassis support member (42). The system further includes a first bumper support feature (114) formed on the chassis support member (42) and a second bumper support feature (118) formed on the bumper mounting member (46). The second bumper support feature (118) is engageable with the first bumper support feature (114) to at least temporarily position the bumper (14) relative to the hood (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Leo M. Schmidt, James E. Schatzer, Erik David Hjorten, Richard D. Wailes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100181803
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to increase displacement amount of a dent preventive reinforcement in an impact load application direction when an impact load is applied to an outer surface of an outer panel in a front structure of a vehicle hood. In a front structure (1) of a vehicle hood, a dent preventive reinforcement (70) is connected to an outer panel (20) and an inner panel (30). The dent preventive reinforcement (70) is formed as a plate-shaped member that is disposed in the vehicle widthwise direction between the panels (20 and 30) while vertically extending with respect to both of the panels (20 and 30). Respectively formed in vertical wall portions (74a and 74b) of the dent preventive reinforcement 70 are stress-focusing portions (70a and 70b) to which stress can be concentrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keiichi Uchino
  • Patent number: 7758097
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus relating to vehicle storage compartments is disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus relates to the concealment of vehicle storage compartment strikers and the method of manufacturing the apparatus. The improvement relates to the elimination of some metal components while maintaining durability of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Dilley, Ryan Larcom
  • Patent number: 7735908
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes upper and lower layers and a middle panel. The upper and lower layers have first and second interface surfaces, respectively. The middle panel has opposing first and second surfaces defining a corrugated profile having a plurality of bonding surfaces, the bonding surfaces being attached to the first and second interface surfaces to thereby define a plurality of laterally oriented channels. The corrugated profile further defines a height and wavelength along a substantial portion of the hood assembly, each being configured to be variably tunable to provide different predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by objects upon impact therebetween. Preferably, the hood assembly also includes an upper hood panel having an inner surface secured to the upper layer. Ideally, the corrugated profile is a trapezoidal waveform profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng, Qing Zhou, Qi Liu, Yong Xia
  • Publication number: 20100140979
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thin vehicle closure panel design that substantially reduces a thickness (panel gauge plus the perpendicular distance or depth between the panels) of a vehicle hood (5) and the impact effect on the head of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle hood (5) includes a hood shell (15) including an outer panel (25) and an inner panel (20); a unitary foam core (100) positioned between and bonded to the outer (25) and/or the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15); and at least one recess (10) that corresponds to an underhood component (42). In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle hood (5) is provided in which a latch attachment member (60) and/or hinge members (70) are attached to inner surface (50) of the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes, JR., Sherri F. McCleary, Stephen Paul Sunday
  • Publication number: 20100127534
    Abstract: An engine room cover and a method for mounting thereof in which the engine room cover can be mounted and removed easily. The engine room cover includes a first cover body and a second cover body. The first cover body is installed in an engine room formed in a vehicle body and fixed to the vehicle body with a fastening member. The second cover body is removably attached to the first cover body and covers a maintained member installed in the engine room. The first cover body has a mounting hole bored in a direction of board thickness and an elastic bush fitted along an opening lip of the mounting hole. The second cover body has a boss portion inserted into the elastic bush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaomi Tottori
  • Patent number: 7690720
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes upper, lower, and middle panels. The upper and lower panels respectively include first and second interface surfaces. The upper panel is preferably secured to an inner surface of an outer panel. The middle panel has opposing first and second surfaces defining an asymmetric waveform profile, preferably having a polygonal geometry. The middle panel member is secured to the first and second interface surfaces at preselected locations along the upper and lower surfaces, thereby defining a plurality of laterally oriented asymmetric channels. The asymmetric waveform profile is configured with distinct amplitudes and wavelengths along different regions of the hood assembly, each configured to provide different predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by objects upon impact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng, Qing Zhou, Qi Liu, Yong Xia
  • Publication number: 20100072785
    Abstract: A closure panel assembly includes an inner and an outer panel, the inner panel having a crimped edge surface feature and a textured surface feature such as a set of radial projections or asperities. Adhesive material is applied between the panels, and the outer panel is hemmed and adhesively bonded to the inner panel. The surface features affix the panels together without induction or intermediate heat curing of the adhesive material. The outer panel has a hemmed edge enclosing the crimped surface feature, with the adhesive material positioned therebetween to form a seal of a relatively low shrinkage rate. A method of forming the closure panel assembly includes forming a first and second surface feature on the inner panel, such as by using swaging and coining, respectively, applying adhesive material therebetween, and hemming the panels to form a hem seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Pei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20100066127
    Abstract: A hood for a vehicle includes: a hood outer constituting a vehicle outer surface of the hood covering an engine room; a hood inner disposed on a rear face of the hood outer; an insulator for suppressing transmission of sound generated in the engine room to the outside; and an intercooler duct for guiding outer air flowing in the engine room to an intercooler. The insulator includes a through hole at least in a part of an overlap part overlapping the intercooler duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Goda, Keiichi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20100019540
    Abstract: A vehicle body panel structure, wherein an inner panel is disposed on the inner surface of an outer panel and a reinforcing inner panel is disposed on the inner surface of the inner panel. A plurality of recesses and projections forming a wave shape in cross section are formed on the inner panel and the reinforcing inner panel in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body. These panels are joined to each other so that a closed cross section is formed of the inner panel and the reinforcing inner panel at the lower part of a joined part between the outer panel and the inner panel and a closed cross section is formed of the outer panel and the inner panel at the upper part of a joined part between the inner panel and the reinforcing inner panel. Accordingly, even if a head part moving distance is small, an HIC value can be lowered and uniformized at those portions other than an impact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel,Ltd.)
    Inventor: Toshio Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7651156
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing device is installed at a leading edge of a vehicle hood to protect a pedestrian. The impact-absorbing device includes a fixing member fixed to a body frame on an inside of the vehicle hood and having a guide portion formed at a front end thereof, a buffer member fixed to an upper surface of the guide portion and having specified torsional rigidity, a center portion of the buffer member being bent in a convex shape, first and second supports, each provided in the center portion and both ends of the buffer member, for supporting the leading edge of the vehicle hood, and a guide member fixed to an upper surface of the buffer member and supporting the first support slidably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woo Chul Park
  • Publication number: 20100005628
    Abstract: A hood hinge apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The hood hinge apparatus may include a hood arm fixed to a side of a rear end of a hood panel, a hood bracket fixed to one side of a chassis corresponding to the hood arm, and a hinge pin for pivotally connecting the hood arm and the hood bracket. The hood arm includes a coupling member with one end pivotally coupled to the hood bracket by the hinge pin and the other end supported by a lower portion of the hood panel, an arm member with one side rotatably hinged to an upper end of the coupling member and the other side fixed to the hood panel, and a resilient member provided on a hinged portion of the arm member and the coupling member for resiliently supporting the arm member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Min Jung
  • Patent number: 7641268
    Abstract: In an assembly of a bodywork part and a headlight glass for a motor vehicle that cooperate by elastic deformation, the headlight glass has an outline designed to be engaged in an opening in the bodywork part. The opening is defined by an outline in the bodywork part that is substantially complementary to the outline of the headlight glass. At least part of the outline of the bodywork part cooperates with the outline of the headlight glass by elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: David Goffart, Lilian Garboud, Marc Verwaerde, Pascal Barbier
  • Patent number: 7635157
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes an inner layer operatively secured to an upper layer having a first interface surface. The inner layer has opposing first and second surfaces defining a sinusoidal profile that is oriented to extend from the forward end of the vehicle towards the rearward end of the vehicle. The sinusoidal profile includes varying amplitudes and wavelengths along different regions of the hood assembly. The amplitudes and wavelengths are individually configured to provide regionally distinct predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by an object upon impact therebetween. Preferably, the hood assembly also includes a lower layer having a second interface surface; wherein the inner layer has a plurality of bonding surfaces attached to the first and second interface surfaces to thereby define a plurality of laterally oriented channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operation, INC
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng, Qing Zhou, Qi Liu, Yong Xia
  • Patent number: 7631928
    Abstract: Vehicle hood reinforcement structures as provided to reduce impact in collisions. In one embodiment, the structure is to include a lower reinforcement panel configured to mount to a vehicle chassis and an upper reinforcement panel welded to the lower reinforcement panel wherein the deflection of a front deformable wall of the upper reinforcement panel is configured to trigger deflection of rear deformable wall of the lower reinforcement panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robert Ackland, Rich J. Evenden
  • Publication number: 20090302644
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hood impact absorbing apparatus capable of further mitigating an impact that a collision body receives from a hood than ever, wherein a push-up rod pushes up the rear end of a hood at the time of a collision of a vehicle, and when a collision body is battered against the top surface of the hood in this state, the rear end of the hood descends and the distal end of the push-up rod slidingly contacts and moves a rear-side flat portion and an arm intermediate curved portion in the rear end of the hood, and herein, a slide contact angle (?) in the arm intermediate curved portion is larger than a slide contact angle (?) in the rear end of the rear-side flat portion, thereby, during a process in which the rear end of the hood descends, peaks at which an absorbing amount of impact energy becomes large can be provided at least twice, and as a result, the impact can be mitigated further than ever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Mori, Yukio Nakagawa, Kazuyuki Yoshiyama, Takeki Hayashi, Shigeyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090295193
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing device installed at a leading edge of a vehicle hood to protect a pedestrian is disclosed. The impact-absorbing device includes a fixing member fixed to a body frame on an inside of the vehicle hood and having a guide portion formed at a front end thereof, a buffer member fixed to an upper surface of the guide portion and having specified torsional rigidity, a center portion of the buffer member being bent in a convex shape, first and second supports, each provided in the center portion and both ends of the buffer member, for supporting the leading edge of the vehicle hood, and a guide member fixed to an upper surface of the buffer member and supporting the first support slidably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woo Chul Park
  • Publication number: 20090289474
    Abstract: A lift device of an active hood system is adapted to lift up the rear of a hood for a vehicle. The lift device of the active hood system includes a striker placed on the hood, a latch unit placed in an engine compartment for locking and unlocking the striker, and an elastic member placed between the striker and the latch unit for raising up the hood. The lift device lifts up the hood by a mechanism which employs the elastic force of the elastic member. Accordingly, the lift device greatly reduces the impact applied to a pedestrian during a collision of the vehicle with the pedestrian, and improves the device's security. Moreover, the lift device is locked or unlocked by the striker and the latch unit, thereby making it reusable, easy to handle, and reducing its manufacturing and repair costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Koo Hyun KIM, Sung Wook Hong, Ji Young Song, Dae Yub Lee
  • Publication number: 20090289473
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for deploying a vehicle pedestrian protection system is provided, including a first hinge element, a second hinge element and a earn assembly. The hinge mechanism includes a closed position and an open position, wherein at least a portion of the first hinge element and the second hinge element separate from one another when the hinge mechanism is urged from the closed position to the open position. The cam assembly includes a cam and a retaining mechanism, where the cam is connected to the first hinge element and the retaining mechanism is connected to the second hinge element. The retaining mechanism is guided within the cam between a first cam position corresponding to the closed position and a second cam position corresponding to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Ryan F. Kmieciak
  • Patent number: 7614688
    Abstract: A motor vehicle deformable front spoiler. The vehicle includes a chassis, the chassis including an outer wall and a deformable sealing bulkhead. The outer wall includes an upper edge extended by an inner edge. The deformable sealing bulkhead links the inner edge and the chassis extending in a curve towards the outer wall. The deformable sealing bulkhead is configured to fold back on itself while being laterally offset towards the outer wall when the front spoiler is dented towards the frame under effect of an impact. The deformable sealing bulkhead includes two substantially parallel side walls curving towards the outer wall, so as to guide laterally the front spoiler when the front spoiler is dented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Gilles Noel
  • Patent number: 7614472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for deviating part of an external panel of a motor vehicle, during an accident to reduce the impact energy of a person colliding with deviated part of the external panel. The part is displaced in a deviation direction that is opposite to that of an impact direction of the person. The system includes a device for deviating the part. The device is engaged at least at one point on the part and permits a displacement of the part in the impact direction, if a person collides with the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Ingo Kalliske, Sami Al-Samarae, Daniel Hahn, Jens Schlönvoight
  • Patent number: 7611192
    Abstract: A cover is provided between a front hood and a vehicle component. The cover includes a cover main portion, a lid, a supporting portion, a supported portion, and a contacting portion. An opening is formed on the cover main portion. The supporting portion is integrally provided on the cover main portion and around the opening. The supported portion is integrally provided on a circumferential edge of the lid and engaged with the supporting portion. The contacting portion is provided on the lid and receives a downward load from the front hood. One or both of the supporting portion and the supported portion deforms elastically in case where a load has been applied to the contacting portion and thereby the lid drops off within the opening. According to the cover, a deformable amount of the cover can be increased and maintenance costs can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Daisuke Takei
  • Patent number: 7597166
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of hinge devices for use in hood lifting systems for pedestrian protection. An exemplary embodiment of such a hinge device includes an upper hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle hood and a lower hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle body. The upper hinge portion may be configured to releasably engage the lower hinge portion such that the upper hinge portion can disengage from the lower hinge portion and lift the vehicle hood upon a threshold separation force being applied to the hinge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Parks
  • Patent number: 7597384
    Abstract: A hood latch structure (1) for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel (2) and a hood (3) providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4). The grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4) supports at least one hood latch (5) carried by a mounting member (6) protruding towards the front of the vehicle. Mounting member (6) is designed to collapse downwards (Z) causing the hood latch (5) to move downwards (Z) when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads above a predetermined threshold load distributed thereupon by the overlying structure such that the hood latch (5) moves away to provide a forgiving upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mattias Wallman, Gunnar Hallneus, Peter Blum, Anders Fredriksson, Mats Erlingfors, Peter Lindmark
  • Publication number: 20090236876
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle body frame, a support frame that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports a hood, a steering wheel, a steering column that is erected on the vehicle body frame and that supports the steering wheel, an instrument panel, an operation panel that is provided below the steering wheel and that has a display window at a position facing the instrument panel, and a connecting member connected at one end to the support frame and connected at the other end to the steering column; wherein the instrument panel is mounted on the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Megumi Sawai, Yutaka Inubushi
  • Patent number: 7578548
    Abstract: An engine hood for motor vehicles has a deformable head impact zone to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle. The engine hood comprises an outer shell, which is formed by the body paneling, and an inner shell which is arranged below the outer shell and is connected to the outer shell. The inner shell is provided with a vault-structured stiffening region in the region of the head impact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Robert Behr, Martin Gruenbaum, Dieter Lange
  • Patent number: 7575273
    Abstract: A bonnet bumpstop for use on an automotive vehicle is formed with a first component having a support part for supporting a bonnet on the vehicle in the vertical direction during normal operation when the bonnet is closed against the automotive frame, a second component attachable to the vehicle frame, and a member interconnecting the first and second components to each other. When the bonnet bumpstop incurs a force greater than a predetermined value, such as a force transmitted from a bonnet to the bonnet bumpstop, the bonnet bumpstop is collapsible by substantially instantaneous neutralizing of the interconnection between the first component and the second component. At least a part of the first component, including said support part, is then freed to be move relative to the second component so as to allow the bonnet to move downwardly in case of an impact between an object and the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mattias Wallman, Lennart Olsson, Anders Fredriksson
  • Publication number: 20090195031
    Abstract: An automobile hood includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel includes a frame-shaped first inner member that joins with the outer panel and a second inner member disposed within the frame of the first inner member. The first inner member includes an outer edge portion, a first inner concave portion that forms an airspace portion, and an inner edge portion. The second inner member includes a second inner concave portion that has joint portions that join with the first inner member and form the airspace portions, panel joint portions that join with the outer panel at position on a center side of the panel, and an extension portion that extends into the first inner concave portion to join with the outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL LTD.)
    Inventor: Hideki Ishitobi
  • Publication number: 20090194348
    Abstract: A hood-hinge assembly may include at least one structural member, a hinge linkage moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge bracket disposed on the at least one structural member and supporting the hinge linkage. The hinge bracket being deformable in response to a force applied to the hinge linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Faubert, Richard A. Manning, Raja Hazime, Kenneth E. Spieles
  • Publication number: 20090179460
    Abstract: A one-piece automobile engine cover for protecting vital engine components from external elements such as water and debris. The cover is positioned between the engine and the hood of an automobile and is pivotably attached to the automobile, preferably by the same hinges that attach the hood to the automobile, or by separate, but collinear, hinges. The cover can be latched to the hood to keep it raised for servicing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michael N. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7559398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device (1) to be mounted in a motor vehicle and intended, in case the vehicle is involved in an accident, to be activated by putting a lifting element (5) being spring-tensioned in the lifting device in motion, wherein the lifting device comprises a locking device (7) intended to cooperate with the lifting element (5) for locking it in a spring-tensioned position, and a release mechanism (9) intended to release the locked lifting element (5) so it can be put in motion under the influence of the spring tension. The invention is characterised in that the release mechanism (9) comprises a striking element (37) intended to release the locked lifting element (5) by means of striking-pin action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikael Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7556309
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a front section and a bonnet arranged on the front section. A first engagement mechanism for the bonnet is provided at a front section of the vehicle frame and a second engagement mechanism is provided at a front lower end section of the bonnet. A front face of the vehicle frame includes a cutout section and a cover doubling as a seal member for the bonnet is provided at the cutout section. When the first and second engagement mechanisms are engaged, the first and second engagement mechanisms are positioned on one side of the cutout section and a portion of the cover that covers the cutout section is positioned on an opposite side of the cutout section. The construction can provide the bonnet with high assembly accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ayabe