Abstract: An automotive vehicle system employs a generally rigid body panel which is movable in an automatic manner from a generally horizontal and closed position to an upwardly angled open position. In another aspect of the present invention, an entire vehicle body panel is initially movable from a closed position to a vertically raised intermediate position, and then subsequently pivoted to an open and somewhat vertically angled position.

Abstract: A holding part of a cowl inner panel is disposed below a hood seal part of a cowl louver main body away therefrom by a predetermined distance, and the hood seal part is deformed by the impact force of a predetermined size or larger from the hood panel so as to reduce the deformation load on the hood panel. In the case impact force of a predetermined size or larger is applied on the hood panel, the impact force is transmitted to the hood seal part so that the hood seal part is deformed. Accordingly, the hood panel can be deformed drastically so that the impact to be applied from the hood panel onto the opposite party of the collision can be alleviated. Further, both end parts of a seal main body made from an elastic soft material, having a substantially U-shaped cross-section is fixed with a cowl louver and a flat plate part, respectively as well as the cowl louver and the flat plate part are fixed on the car body directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A hinge arrangement for vehicle hoods in vehicles is described. The arrangement is intended to decrease injuries to pedestrians struck by the front of the vehicle. The hood is pivotable about at least two hinges, preferably applied at the rear of the hood. The hood is able to compliantly receive impacts in the vertical direction. Each respective hinge is fixed in at least two rods connected to the hinges. One of the rods is a draw rod, designed to receive forces in the longitudinal direction of the hood, substantially stopping horizontal displacement of the hood in a collision. Another rod is a vertical rod, able to deform due to a vertical collision at a predetermined vertical load. The vertical rod is shaped to be able to receive the vertical load over a predetermined deformation length.

Abstract: A construction machine comprising: an engine received within a body cover of the construction machine; a hydraulic pump connected to an output shaft of the engine; a cooling fan for taking cooling air into the body cover; and a plurality of devices to be cooled gathered and arranged in the vicinity of the hydraulic pump, said devices being arranged so that a cooling air passage parallel with the direction of an output shaft is formed between the devices. Thereby, the cooling efficiency can be enhanced, and the body can be made compact.

Abstract: A propulsion engine housing for a motor vehicle having at least one door arranged to allow positioning in one closed and one open position. The inside of the door is provided with steps in order to facilitate access to the engine for the driver/mechanic.

Abstract: A crawler carrier capable of smoothly operating a driving force source even at a slant. The driving force source is arranged between a dump body and a cab and laid in a lateral direction and at the same time the driving force source and a heat exchanger are arranged in series in a lateral direction. With such an arrangement as above, the driving force source can be arranged at an upper structure frame under a state in which it becomes substantially horizontal without interfering with the dump body. Even when the crawler carrier performs work at a slant the engine can always be lubricated with lubricant oil and the driving force source can be operated smoothly.

Abstract: A hood for earthmoving machines, such as a backhoe, includes a top panel and two side panels extending beneath and on opposite sides of the top panel to form a substantially upside down U-shaped shell resting on a frame of the vehicle to close the engine compartment of the backhoe. The side panels extend substantially parallel to a vertical centerline plane of the vehicle and are hinged to the frame of the vehicle to rotate, about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the vertical centerline plane of the vehicle, between an open position in which the side panel is located over the top panel to permit access to the engine compartment, and a closed position in which the side panel is located beneath the top panel to close the engine compartment.

Abstract: A radiator system for mounting on the engine hood of an automobile having a rear engine comprising a generally panel-type radiator, a support for holding the radiator in a generally horizontal disposition and for securing the radiator to the engine hood, an inlet conduit for transferring heated engine coolant from the engine into the radiator, and an outlet conduit for transferring cooled engine coolant from the radiator to the engine.

Abstract: A torsion bar hood assist system for a vehicle which has a hood that pivots between an open and a closed position. The hood assist system includes a compact torsion mechanism with at least two torsion bar sections. The torsion mechanism of the hood assist system is mounted distant from a pivot axis of the hood. The torsion mechanism is engaged to the vehicle in a manner which allows the torsion mechanism to be mounted distant from the hood pivot axis and reduces the stresses imparted to the torsion mechanism when the hood is pivoted.

Abstract: A hood hinging structure of a vehicle is disclosed to minimize the level of an impact to be made on a pedestrian by changing a hinge structure that allows a hood to be rotatively opened or closed at a vehicle body when the pedestrian is hit by a hood having its hinge structure when the pedestrian is hit by the hinge structure.

Abstract: A phantom image is temporarily displayed on a body panel of a motor vehicle. The image appears under certain weather conditions and then vanish after a few moments. The image is created when a temperature dependent substance material is present on the body panel and a heat source is applied to the opposite side of the panel with an intervening insulated area in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A vehicle hood hinge includes a hinge arm contacted with a bottom surface of hood at its top surface and provided with a fitting hole and first and second hinge holes, the fitting hole being fitted into the bottom surface of the hood by a bolt, and the first and second hinge holes being formed at front and rear portions of one side of the hinge arm; first and second links being respectively fitted into the first and second hinge holes by a shaft pin at their top portions; a hinge support provided with a hinge hole at one side portion and securing holes at front and rear portions, the hinge hole being rotatably fitted to a bottom portion of the second link by the shaft pin, and the securing holes being fitted into a top surface of the vehicle at its bottom surface by a bolt; a slot longitudinally pierced in a lengthwise direction to detach the hinge pin fitted into the bottom portion of the first link from a center shaft of the hinge during an external impact; and a hinge positioning means formed in the slot t

Abstract: In a snowmobile or other vehicle, ventilation of ambient air to the engine compartment is necessary. However, from time to time when encountering deep snow or extremely cold temperatures, it may be necessary to restrict the inflow of ambient air into the engine compartment. An adjustable air vent having a sliding ventilation grill adjusts the air flow. The air vent has actuators for adjusting the air flow that are simple and easily manually operable by an operator even when wearing gloves or mittens without the need of any tools.

Abstract: An air intake system for a vehicle, having a hood that defines at least one intake aperture therethrough. The hood may be configured such that the intake apertures have substantially zero exposed area in the upper surface of the hood, such that debris cannot fall from directly above the hood into the intake apertures. A screen is engaged with the hood. The screen may define at least one screen aperture therethrough. A screen mount may be disposed within the screen aperture, and is engaged with the lower surface of the hood and with the screen. The air flow path may be shaped such that air must rise near the intake apertures and fall near the outflow aperture. The air intake system may include an air plenum adapted to supply air to an engine.

Abstract: To provide a noise absorption blade mounting structure for a working vehicle, which is enabled to be excellent in the draft straightening property in an air hole of the cover of an engine room and excellent in the strength and appearance of the cover, by making noise absorption blades having a high noise absorption effect of a simple structure to mount/demount the noise absorption blades simply in/from the air hole thereby to facilitate the tuning against the noises coming from the engine room and the maintenances of the noise absorption blades. Each of the noise absorption blades 8 includes: a core member 14; noise absorption members 15 mounted on the two faces of the core member 14; and mounting members 11, 12 formed on the end faces of the noise absorption members 15. The cover 6 includes in its air hole 6a straightening members 6e for straightening the draft in front of, as taken in the ventilation direction, the noise absorption blades 8.

Abstract: Motor-vehicle bonnet having a torsional strength greater than or equal to 5 N/mm and a flexural strength greater than 55 N/mm, comprising: an external shell (1; 1′; 1″) made of laminated composite sheet comprising two external facings made of steel sheet and a core of uniform thickness made of polymer material; internal reinforcing means (2; 3, 3′; 8) fastened to the said shell, the weight of which is less than 40% of the total weight of the bonnet. Bonnet which is at once lightweight, strong and inexpensive.

Abstract: An automobile hood including an exterior show surface and an interior surface facing away from the exterior show surface. At least one expansible gas receiving chamber in fluid communication with an inflator for generating inflation gas is disposed in underlying relation to the interior surface. The placement and expansive character of the gas receiving chamber is such that upon expansion of the gas receiving chamber, the exterior show surface and the corresponding interior surface of the hood are forced outwardly by the gas receiving chamber. The forced movement gives rise to an extended surface profile thereby leading to enhanced impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A vehicle hood includes a wall, connecting devices for mounting the hood on a vehicle chassis fixed to the wall nearer a rear edge of the wall than to its other edges, and a locking member fixed to the wall for locking the hood to the chassis in a closed position. The locking member is nearer the rear edge of the wall than a front edge of the wall opposite the rear edge.

Abstract: A spring designed to be mounted adjacent and in conformance with a convex or concave surface that has varying radii of curvature. The stiffness against bending of the spring varies along its longitudinal axis. The stiffness against bending of various portions of the spring is proportional to the radii of curvature of portions of the surface adjacent which each portion of the spring is to be disposed. The mounting structure for the spring includes female mounting members that are to be engaged to male mounting members. The female mounting members and male mounting members can be engaged to one another by sliding the two components together. The spring and mounting system are particularly well adapted for holding objects adjacent an inner surface of body panels of a vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hood raising mechanism of a motor vehicle. The hood raising mechanism comprises a sensor installed at a front part of a vehicle body for sensing hitting of the motor vehicle against an obstacle; a plunger member received in a receiving portion which is formed in a fender of the vehicle body, in a manner such that the plunger member can be moved upward to raise a rear end of the hood, the plunger member being defined at a lengthwise middle portion thereof with an engaging groove; a compression spring for elastically biasing upward the plunger member; a locking pin capable of being moved in such a way as to be engaged into or disengaged from the engaging groove defined in the plunger member; and an actuator for moving the locking pin in response to a signal inputted from the sensor, so that the locking pin is disengaged from the engaging groove to allow the plunger member to be moved upward.

Abstract: An obstruction inference apparatus for a vehicle, for inferring the type of an obstruction which the vehicle has hit, which comprises a member deformable in correspondence with an impact force with which the vehicle hits the obstruction, deformation rate detecting means for detecting the deformation rate of this deformable member, timer starting means for starting a timer when the deformation rate detected by the deformation rate detecting means reaches a preset first reference rate in the course of increasing, second reference rate generating means for setting as a second reference rate a value equivalent to a value obtained by multiplying the maximum deformation rate by a preset constant, elapsed time calculating means for stopping the timer when the deformation rate reaches the second reference rate and obtaining the elapsed time from the timer being started to the timer being stopped, and inference signal generating means for, when the elapsed time is within a preset time range, inferring that the obstruc

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle bonnet, that the bonnet 20 is held open by allowing a hook portion 52 at a distal end of an opening stay 50 extending from a body 14 side to be hooked up to the vicinity of a hinge 30R of the bonnet 20. A reinforcement member 60 is incorporated in the bonnet 20 for reinforcing a hook retaining portion 34 to which the distal end of the opening stay 50 is hooked up. The reinforcement member 60 is constituted by an extruded member having a closed cross section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a hood mobile relative to the chassis and at least one body component. Contact of the body component with the hood determines a position of the body component relative to the hood.

Abstract: when a vehicle collides with an object and the object is thereby thrown into impact on a hood of the vehicle, a vehicle hood apparatus detects the collision and causes actuators attached to the vehicle to operate to lift up a rear end of a hood of the vehicle so as to reduce the impact of the object thereon. The apparatus include a control unit for controlling the actuators. The control unit includes a hood lock determination means for determining whether a hood lock locks a front end of the hood in place. When the hood lock is in an unlocking state, the control unit prevents the actuators from operating. When the hood lock is in a locking state, the control unit operates the actuators.

Abstract: To provide an engine enclosure for a construction vehicle which can be simply constructed and small-sized while improving the cooling efficiency and lowering the noise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for a flap provided on a vehicle, especially an engine hood. The drive comprises an electric motor, an actuation shaft that is connected to the flap, and a reduction gear by means of which the rotor of the electric motor is coupled to the actuation shaft. The drive flier comprises an energy accumulator by means of which the actuation shaft can be driven independently of the electric motor. The reduction gear is configured in such a way that the actuation shaft is driven in a rotational direction only by the energy accumulator and the electric motor drives the actuation shaft in an opposite rotational direction, thereby supplying to the energy accumulator an energy that is needed to drive the actuation shaft in the rotational direction. The invention further relates to a pedestrian protection means provided on a vehicle and equipped with such a drive.

Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus is provided with a hood retaining mechanism including a linkage which is bendable and stretchable for retaining a hood in a lifted position when a vehicle collides with an object to be protected and the rear end of the hood is lifted. The linkage has an upper link and a lower link which are bendably and stretchably connected via a hinge. A stopper is included for preventing the lower link from falling rearward relative to the vehicle when the lower link and the upper link stretch. The hood apparatus further includes a ratchet mechanism for preventing the lower link and the upper link from shifting from the stretching state to a bending state to securely retain the lifted hood.

Abstract: A hood opening and closing apparatus of a forklift truck comprises a turning lever integrally fixed to the hood, the lever extending backward from a turning axis of the hood during the hood closing, and a damper arranged in a space defined between the compartment room, a battery room or an engine room, and the counterweight of the truck. The damper is arranged to urge the turning lever downward. A link is further provided within the space to transmit the damper force to the turning lever. According to the above construction, the hood opening and closing apparatus is not necessarily arranged in the compartment room, but in the space between the compartment room and the counterweight, and not exposed outside the truck.

Abstract: A vehicular hood assembly comprising at least one actuator for lifting up a rear end of a hood to a given height when a vehicle collides with a protective object. The actuator comprises a rod having a constricted portion with lower rigidity than the other part thereof. The actuator is operated responsive to collision of the vehicle with the protective object to cause the rod to lift the hood and when the protective object further encounters a secondary collision with the hood, an impact load exerted to the protective object and the hood is concentrated on the rod to cause the constricted portion of the rod to bend for thereby retaining the hood at its lifted position without causing the rod to return to its original position.

Abstract: A vehicular hood device has a hinge serving also as a coupling link mechanism. The hinge in a usual time allows a hood to make opening and closing movements about a hinge pin connecting a second link to the hood. When an obstacle collided with the vehicle to lift the hood by an actuator, the hinge enables the extended first and second links to determine a hood raise position. The hinge includes a stopper pin. The stopper pin has strength designed to be cut by operation of the actuator but not to be cut by a usual hood opening and closing force, thus preventing the hood from floating in a usual time. Because the hood opening and closing in the usual time and the hood lift upon collision are possible by a simple structure having only the stopper pin, a number of parts can be reduced to suppress the cost.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel or component part having a reinforcing backing plate reconciled to a part of a blank material at a position wherein a bending formation is implemented. The backing plate has one or more than two apertures formed in at least one lateral raw at a location equivalent to the position of the bending formation. When forming the blank material and the backing plate concurrently by bending operation, the backing plate becomes intimate with the blank sheet to avoid the backing plate from locally separating from the blank material and from forming a gap relative thereto, with a resultant improved product quality.

Abstract: A flat cast structural member, particularly a cast metal part or a cast plastic part wherein the surface of the structural member is covered by a thin metal sheet or a plastic layer. An adhesive or coupling layer is provided between the thin metal sheet or plastic layer, whereby under the influence of heat, the adhesive or coupling layer absorbs any surface unevenness or irregularities on the structural member.

Abstract: An equipment (engine) compartment at one end of an automotive vehicle is closed by a structurally stiff hood panel having laterally opposite edges supported in side rails. The hood panel is longitudinally slidable in the side rails between a closed position covering an upper opening and an open position wherein the hood panel is moved to a longitudinally outward position along the rails to open the compartment for servicing equipment in the compartment. Releasable latches hold the hood panel closed until released for sliding to the open position with a releasable stop for full removal of the panel. The hood panel and side rails are preferably extruded members forming structurally stiff box sections that provide significant energy absorption to the front structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: Removal of heat energy from a compartment containing a heat engine is effected by drawing air in from the compartment through at least one opening made in a duct which passes through the compartment and in which air, entering from one face of the compartment and opening to the outside to a reduced-pressure zone, flows.

Abstract: An access hatch reinforcement module and a method of assembling an access hatch to an existing engine compartment hood of a vehicle. The access hatch reinforcement module includes a wall engagement component for engagement to the hood outer wall of the engine compartment hood. The access hatch reinforcement module further includes a door engagement component for engagement to a hatch door of the access hatch. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component of the access hatch reinforcement module are directly fixedly engaged to one another by temporary fixed engagements. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component are also indirectly engaged to one another through operational door connecting components such as a hinge component.

Abstract: A hood for earthmoving machines, such as a backhoe, includes a top panel and two side panels extending beneath and on opposite sides of the top panel to form a substantially upside down U-shaped shell resting on a frame of the vehicle to close the engine compartment of the backhoe. The side panels extend substantially parallel to a vertical centerline plane of the vehicle and are hinged to the frame of the vehicle to rotate, about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the vertical centerline plane of the vehicle, between an open position in which the side panel is located over the top panel to permit access to the engine compartment, and a closed position in which the side panel is located beneath the top panel to close the engine compartment.

Abstract: A four-wheeled utility vehicle has: a body frame; a driver's seat disposed on the body frame; and a cabin frame having a front portion and surrounding the driver's seat. The front portion has a pair of lower end portions with vertical joining surfaces. The lower end portions are joined to right and left side surfaces of the body frame via the vertical joining surfaces with bolts having horizontal axes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a work vehicle, such as a tractor, having a frame, a compartment, a hood coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially cover the compartment when disposed in a closed position; and a mechanism coupling the hood to the frame, the mechanism configured to move the hood between the closed position and at least one at least partially opened position, the mechanism including at least one four-bar linkage, a first bar of the linkage including a portion of the frame and a second bar of the linkage including a portion of the hood, the vehicle further having a support member configured to engage the at least one linkage at predetermined positions and thereby immobilize the hood against further changes in position.

Abstract: A cooling system assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle having an engine surrounded at least in part by an engine enclosure. The cooling system assembly includes a heat exchanger having an air intake face. The heat exchanger is coupled to the engine for cooling the engine. The engine enclosure includes an end face lying substantially in a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and first and second side faces, each of said first and second side faces lying substantially in a plane disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The enclosure has an air intake located at least partially on the end face and at least one of the first and second side faces. An inner wall forms a baffle on at least one of the faces for directing air from the air intake to the heat exchanger air intake face.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a novel hood coupling apparatus is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a frame provided with a compartment and a hood. The hood is coupled to the frame by at least one hinge and at least one latch. The latch includes a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood, and the hinge includes a first portion associated with the frame and a second portion associated with the hood. The latch is configured for the stationary portion to engage the movable portion in a particular location when the hood is closed, and the second portion of the hinge is configured to assume an approximate position with respect to the first portion of the hinge, and thereby to the frame, upon engagement of the latch, the latch thereby aligning the hood and the second portion of the hinge to the frame when engaged. The work vehicle may also include a hood biasing device and a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood.

Abstract: A modular engine enclosure comprised of a hood and baffle is provided to channel cooling air along passages formed between their adjacent surfaces to the radiator of a water cooled engine. The passages provide acoustic air barriers and along with selected enclosure surfaces covered with sound absorbing foam, serve to contain engine sounds within the enclosure. The passages receive air from a generally upright inlet opening and direct it evenly over the top surface of the horizontally oriented radiator. After being drawn through the radiator, the air is exhausted generally horizontally out the back of the engine compartment. The modular construction of the enclosure allows it to be easily raised and/or removed so that maintenance and service activities can be performed on the engine and its components.