CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 63/068,018 filed August 20, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates a power hinge assembly for a front closure that allows the closure to pivot and improve pedstrian safety.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Most motor vehicles include a front bay, e.g., an engine bay or a storage bay (frunk), with a front closure, which is commonly referred to as a hood. The hood is typically pivotal about a pivot axis allowing the hood to be opened and closed. The pivot axis may be located towards the rear of the hood. A simple hinge may be used to attach the hood to the vehicle body. In some vehicles, a strut may be provided to hold the hood in the open position.

SUMMARY

[0004] A vehicle includes a closure for a front bay of the vehicle. A power hinge assemlby may support the closure and is configured to automatically move the closure between open and closed positions. The power hinge assembly includes a linkage subassembly and an acutator arrangement. The actuator arrangement is configured to move the linkage subassembly to open and close the closure. The linkage subassembly includes an upper linkage connected to a mounting bracket of the closure. The mounting bracket is connected to the upper linkage at two connection points. The first connection may be a pin that non-removably attaches the mounting bracket and the upper linkage. The second connection may be a release mechanism that selectively attaches the mounting bracket to the upper linkage. The release mechanism is normally connected and is configured to release, in response to a frontal pedestrian impact being detected or anticipated, to pivot the closure about the pin and place the closure in a tilted position.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a hinge assembly for a closure includes an upper linkage defining a pivotal connection configured to non-removably attach the upper linkage to a closure mounting bracket. The upper linkage is movable to open and close the closure. The hinge assembly further includes a release mechanism supported by the upper linkage at a location spaced apart, e.g., rearward, from the pivotal connection. The release mechanism is configured to selectively attach the closure mounting bracket to the upper linkage. The release mechanism is deployable to forcefully release the closure mounting bracket, responsive to a sensed pedistrian collision, such that the closure mounting bracket pivots about the pivotal connection to premit tilting of the closure without movement of the upper linkage. The release mechanism may include a pyrotenic.

[0006] The hinge assembly may further include a first side linkage connected to the upper linkage and a second side linkage connected to the upper linkage at a location between the pivotal connection and the first side linkage. The side linkages are movable to move the upper linkage to open and close the closure. In some embodiments, the release mechanism may be supported between the pivotal connection and the second side linkage.

[0007] The hinge assembly may also include a slide attached to only the first side linkage and an actuator arrangement configured to move the slide to open and close the closure. The end of the second side linkage may be held stationary such as by attachement to a bracket. The actuator arrangement may include an electric motor. The slide may be supported by a vehicle bracket such that the slide is movable fore and aft. The slide is operably coulped to the second end of the front linkage, wherein, during operation, rearward movement of the slide moves the upper, front, and rear linkages to open the closure and forward movement of the slide moves the upper, front, and rear linkages to close the closure.

[0008] The hinge assembly may further include a tether connectable to the closure mounting bracket and configured to limit a range of the tilting. The tether may include a first end connected to a side linkage and a second end connectable to the closure mounting bracket. [0009] The upper linkage may include a front section having the pivotal connection and supporting the release mechanism, and a rear section joined to the front section at a bend such that the front and rear sections are angled relative to each other.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a hinge assembly includes a linkage subassembly defining a pivotal connection configured to non-removably attach with a closure mounting bracket, wherein the linkage subassembly is movable to open and close the closure. A release mechanism is supported on the linkage subassembly and configured to selectively attach the closure mounting bracket to the linkage subassembly. The release mechanism is deployable to release the closure mounting bracket such that the closure mounting bracket pivots about the pivotal connection to tilt the closure without actuation of the linkage subassembly. The release mechanism may include a pyrotenic.

[0011] The hinge assembly may further include a vehicle bracket connectable to a vehicle body. The linkage subassembly may includes an upper linkage supporting the release mechanism and having a forward end defining the pivotal connection, a first side linkage having a first end connected to the vehicle bracket and a second end pivotally connected to a rear end of the upper linkage, and a second side linkage having a first end pivotally connected to the upper linkage at a location between the release mechanism and the rear end, an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the vehicle bracket, and a second end operably coupled to an acutator arrangement.

[0012] According to yet another embodiment, a hinge assembly includes a linkage subassembly actuatable to open and close a vehicle closure. The mounting bracket is connecteable with the closure and has a first end pivotably connected to the linkage subassembly. A release mechanism is supported on the linkage subassembly and selectively attaches the closure mounting bracket to the linkage subassembly. The release mechanism is deployable to forcefully release the closure mounting bracket such that the closure mounting bracket pivots about the first end to tilt the closure without actuation of the linkage subassembly.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, a closure assembly includes one or more mounting brackets and one or more hinge assemblies. Each hinge assembly may include a linkage subassembly having a non-removable pivotal connection to the mounting bracket so that a closure is tiltable about the non-removable pivotal connection. An associated acutator arrangement is configured to actuate the linkage subassemlby to open and close the closure. A release mechanism is supported on the linkage subassembly and selectively attaches the closure mounting bracket to the linkage subassembly. The release mechanism restrains the closure in an untilted position when attached and the release mechanism is deployable, responsive to a sensed pedistrian collision, to forcefully release the closure mounting bracket such that the closure mounting bracket pivots about the first end to move the closure to a tilted position without actuation of the linkage subassembly. The closure may be a hood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a power hinge assembly shown in the closed position with the closure fully connected to the power hinge assembly.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side view of the hinge assembly in the closed position with the closure rotated to a tilted position to increase pedistrain safety.

[0016] Figure 3 is a side view of the hinge assembly in a partially open position and shown with the actuator arrangement omitted for illustrative purposes.

[0017] Figure 4 is a side view of the hinge assembly in a fully open position and shown with the actuator arrangement omitted for illustrative purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. [0019] Directional terms used herein, such as front, back, end, side, etc.., are made with reference to the views and orientations shown in the exemplary figures and are not to be interpreted as limiting the disclosed concept to the illustrated embodiments or any specific spatial orientation. The terms, connected, attached, etc., refer to directly or indirectly connected, attached, etc., unless otherwise indicated explicitly or by context. Any reference to an “end” does nessecarly refer to only the terminus but also refers to the general area near the terminus.

[0020] Pedestrian safety is a criterion considered during vehicle design. Lately, there has been increased emphasis in designing vehicles that reduce the impact force during a collision with a pedestrian. Pedestrian safety may be improved during a frontal collision by pivoting the front closure, e.g., a hood, to a tilted position in which the front portion pivots down and the rear portion pivots up. This may reduce the possibility of the pedstrian contacting the windshild of the vehicle. Disclosed herein is a power hinge assembly configured to automatically open and close the closure and allow tilting of the closure in anticipation of a collision.

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, one or more power hinge assemblies 20, e.g., a pair of assemblies, are configured to automatically open and close a supported closure (not shown). The closure may be a hood. The power hinge assembly 20 may be located within a front bay 22 of the vehicle. The front bay 22 may be an engine bay or a front storage bay, which is sometimes referred to as a “frunk.” In one or more embodients, the closure is a hood of a frunk. The assemblies 20 at least partially support the closure and are operable to rotate the closure to open and close the front bay 22. The pair of assemblies 20 may be located on opposite sides of the bay 22 and longitudinally aligned to form a common axis of rotation for the closure. The assembly 20 may include a linkage subassembly 28 and an actuator arrangement 30 that is operable to move the subassembly 28, which in turn opens and closes the closure.

[0022] The linkage subassembly 28 may be a four-bar linkage in one or more embodiments. A bracket 24 forms a bottom linkage of the example four-bar linkage 28 and is mounted to a body structure 26 via fasteners or other means. A pair of side linkages 32, 34 are pivotally attached to the bracket 24 by pins 36, 38 or the like. An upper linkage 40 is connected to the side linkages 32, 34 by pins 42, 44 or the like. The upper linkage 40 may be an elongate member having a first section 46 and a second section 48 joined at a bend 50 such that the sections are angled relative to each other. The pin 42 may be located at the bend 50 and the pin 44 may be at an end of the second section 48. The pins 42, 44 may be any component capable of forming a pivotal connection. For example, the pins may be fasteners, e.g., bolts, rivets, or the like.

[0023] A mounting bracket 52 of the closure is attached to the upper linkage 40 by a pivotal connection. The mounting bracket 52 is either attached to or integrally formed with the closure. If attached, the mounting bracket 52 may be joined to the closure by welding, adhesive, mechanical connection, etc. The closure may include a pair of mounting brackets 52 on opposite sides of the closure and that are each associated with one of the pair of assemblies 20. The mounting bracket 52 may be pivotally attached to the upper linkage 40 by a pin 54 that is located near an end of the first section 46. The pin 54 may be non-removably attached the mounting bracket 52 and the linkage 40. Used herein, “non-removably attached” refers to a connection that is designed to always be attached during use. This contrasts with “selectively attached,” which refers to a connection that may be present in some operating conditions and disconnected in other operating conditions during use. The pin 54 may be a fastener, such as a bolt, a rivet, or any other connection allowing the bracket 52 to rotate relative to the upper linkage 40.

[0024] The mounting bracket 52 is also selectively attached to an intermediate portion of the upper linkage 40 by a release mechanism 55. The release mechanism 55 may selectively attach the mounting bracket 52 to the first section 46. The release mechanism 55 is configured to secure the mounting bracket 52 to the upper linkage 40 during normal operation of the vehicle and to release the mounting bracket 52 in response to a front pedestrian collision being detected, sensed, or anticipated. When the release mechanism 55 disengages, the mounting brackets 52 (and the closure) become pivotal about the pins 54 allowing the front of the closure to drop and the rear of the closure to rise, i.e., tilt, which may reduce impact force between the vehicle and the pedestrian. The release mechanism 55 may include a pyrotechnic or other device configured to decouple the release mechanism and tilt the closure about the pins 54 (as shown in Figure 2). In Figure 1, the release mechanism is attached to secure the closure (and the closure bracket 52) in an untilted position, and in Figure 2, the release mechanism has deployed to move the closure (and the closure bracket 52) to the tilted position. [0025] A tether 61 is provided to limit the range of motion of the tilting of the closure. The tether 61 may include a first end 57 attached to the hinge assembly 20, such as at a bracket, and a second and 59 attached to the closure bracket 52.

[0026] The single pin connection 54 at each assembly 20 allows the release mechanishm to tilt the closure without affecting or requiring operation of the linkage subassembly 28. That is, the linkage subassembly 28 does not require activation during a pedistrian-collision to tilt the closure as desired. This reduces the deployment time of the closure tilt while also reducing complexity and costs due to the linkage subassembly playing no role in tilt deployment.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the four-bar linkage is actuated by a linear slide 60 that is supported for translation by the bracket 24. The slide 60 may be an elongate member having a rectangular cross section is shown. The slide 60 is supported by a pair of supports 62 that are affixed to the bracket 24. Each of the supports 62 may define an opening 53 that receives the slide 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings are rectangular slots that match the cross-sectional shape of the slide 60. The slide 60 is linearly movable fore-and-aft through the openings 53. The slide may define tabs 69, 71 used to connect the slide 60 to the actuator arrangement 30. A front end 72 of the slide 60 is connected to a bottom portion 74 of the linkage 32 by an interconnecting link 76. The interconnecting link 76 includes a pair of pins 78 and 80 that pivotally attach link 76 to the linkage 32 and the slide 60, respectively.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates the closure (and the hinge assembly 20) in the closed position, which corresponds to the slide 60 being slide to its forward-most position. The closure is raised and pivoted open by moving the slide 60 rearward. Rearward movement of the slide 60 rotates the link 32 about the pin 36 causing the upper link 40 and the side link 34 to raise and pivot as shown in the intermediate position of Figure 3. The interconnecting link 76 pivots during this process and maintains the connection between the slide 60 and the link 32 despite a change in vertical alignment throughout the movement. Continued movement of the slide 60 in the rearward direction moves the closure (and the hinge assembly 20) to the fully open position as shown in Figure 4.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the slide 60 is actuated by the actuator arrangement 30. The actuator arrangement 30 may include an electric motor 63 (or other device capable of producing rotory motion) and a drive 64 that is operably coupled to the motor 63. The drive 64 and the motor 63 may be coupled by gearing. The drive 64 is configured to receive the rotary motion of the motor 63 and convert that into a linear motion that is output from the drive 64 via a check arm 66 that slides fore-and-aft. The drive 64 may include a lead screw, a ball screw, or the like. For example, the drive 64 may include a screw 65 that is drivably connected to rotate with the motor 63 and a nut 67 that threadably engages with the screw 65. Rotation of the screw causes the nut 67 to move linearly along the axis of the screw 65, which is oriented parallel to the slide 60, thus converting the rotary motion of the motor into linear motion. The nut 67 may be connected to the check arm 66. For example, the check arm 66 and the screw mechanism may be supported in one or more housings 68 with the check arm 66 arranged above the screw mechanism. A link pin 70 may connect the check arm 66 to the slide 60 so that the slide 60 moves in unison with the check arm 66. The link pin 70 may include a first portion connected to an end of the check arm 66 and a second end connected to the slide 60 between the tabs 69, 71.

[0030] The closure is opened by rotating the motor 63 in a first direction to move the check arm 66 and the slide 60 rearward as shown in Figure 4. To close the closure, the motor 63 is rotated in a second direction to move the check arm 66 and the slide 60 forward shown in Figure 2. Of course, the actuator arrangment 30 is but one example drive mechanism for operating the linkage assembly to open and close the closure. Any mechanism capable of pivoting one or more of the four- bar linkages may be used since the rotation of the closure during an accident is independnet of actuation of the hinge assembly.

[0031] The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.

[0032] List of reference numerals:

[0033] 20 power hinge assembly

[0034] 22 front bay [0035] 24 bracket

[0036] 26 body structure

[0037] 28 linkage subassembly

[0038] 30 actuator arrangement

[0039] 32 side linkage

[0040] 34 side linkage

[0041] 36 pin

[0042] 38 pin

[0043] 40 upper linkage

[0044] 42 pin

[0045] 44 pin

[0046] 46 first section

[0047] 48 second section

[0048] 50 bend

[0049] 52 mounting bracket

[0050] 53 opening

[0051] 54 pin

[0052] 55 release mechanism

[0053] 57 first end

[0054] 60 linear slide [0055] 61 tether

[0056] 62 support

[0057] 63 motor

[0058] 64 drive

[0059] 65 screw

[0060] 66 check arm

[0061] 67 nut

[0062] 68 housing

[0063] 69 tab

[0064] 70 pin

[0065] 71 tab

[0066] 72 front end

[0067] 74 bottom portion

[0068] 76 interconnecting

[0069] 78 pin

[0070] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.