Abstract: A hood lifting actuator according to various implementations includes a piston, a locking ring, and a housing including a protrusion. The housing further includes a distal end, the distal end defining a distal end wall, wherein the locking ring is retained between the distal end wall and the protrusion prior to actuation of the actuator. The piston travels from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position, the hood lifting actuator lifts a portion of a vehicle hood into an elevated position. In response to a force urging the piston from the extended position toward the retracted position, such as a person impacting the portion of the vehicle hood, the locking ring engages the protrusion and the piston, thereby locking the piston in a locked position.

Abstract: A hood lifting actuator according to various implementations includes a piston, a locking ring, and a housing including a protrusion. The housing further includes a distal end, the distal end defining a distal end wall, wherein the locking ring is retained between the distal end wall and the protrusion prior to actuation of the actuator. The piston travels from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position, the hood lifting actuator lifts a portion of a vehicle hood into an elevated position. In response to a force urging the piston from the extended position toward the retracted position, such as a person impacting the portion of the vehicle hood, the locking ring engages the protrusion and the piston, thereby locking the piston in a locked position.

Abstract: Various implementations include a hood lifting front hinge including a first hinge plate, second hinge plate, and third hinge plate. A first portion of the first hinge plate is hingedly coupled to a first portion of the second hinge plate. A second portion of the second hinge plate is hingedly coupled to a second portion of the third hinge plate. The first hinge plate, second hinge plate, and third hinge plate are hingedly movable from a collapsed position to an extended position. The first hinge plate is couplable to a portion of a hood latch of a vehicle and the third hinge plate is couplable to a portion of a hood of a vehicle. The hood is further from the hood latch and closer to a windshield of the vehicle when the hinge plates are in the extended position than when the hinge plates are in the collapsed position.

Abstract: Various implementations include an actuator. The actuator includes a housing and a piston. The housing has a central axis and an inner surface. The housing defines at least one protrusion that extends radially inwardly from the inner surface of the housing. The piston is slidingly disposed within the housing and engages the inner surface of the housing as the piston travels a stroke length within the housing along the central axis. The piston travels from a proximal end to a distal end of the stroke length upon actuation of the actuator. The protrusion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the stroke length and is deformed in a radially outward direction when the piston engages the protrusion.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic activated body panel lift actuator assembly for a vehicle having a unique deployment profile and energy absorbing feature is disclosed. The assembly has a pyrotechnic actuator, a thin-walled tube and a piston. The tapered portion of the piston forms a recess between the piston and the tube. One or more balls sized to fit in the recess are provided. Upon activation, the piston is thrust proximally outwardly to lift a portion of a body panel to absorb an impact of a person hit by the vehicle and thereafter the piston retracts under controlled substantially constant force generated by balls moving up the tapered portion of the shaft thereby locally plastically deforming the thin-walled tube.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic activated body panel lift actuator assembly for a vehicle having a unique deployment profile and energy absorbing feature is disclosed. The assembly has a pyrotechnic actuator, a thin-walled tube and a piston. The tapered portion of the piston forms a recess between the piston and the tube. One or more balls sized to fit in the recess are provided. Upon activation, the piston is thrust proximally outwardly to lift a portion of a body panel to absorb an impact of a person hit by the vehicle and thereafter the piston retracts under controlled substantially constant force generated by balls moving up the tapered portion of the shaft thereby locally plastically deforming the thin-walled tube.

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a panel that has a closed position and a stowed position. The panel at least partly covers a utility area when in the closed position, and an end of the panel is concealed from view in the stowed position. The panel pivots about a pivot point and is coupled with a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism includes one or more gears and a pivot arm with dimensional relationships that define a line of movement for the pivot arm as it moves between the closed and stowed positions. A planetary gear set may be used to define a curvilinear path, such as an elliptical path, or a rectilinear path for the pivot point.