JP2002370611A - Vehicular hood device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alleviate impact acting on an abutting object when the abutting object abuts on a vehicular hood by breaking a fragile part of a lock piece, and as a result, lowering a raised rod. SOLUTION: An actuator 40 is composed of a cylinder part 42 opened in an actuator block 41, the rod 43 slidably attached to the cylinder part 41, a gas generator 44 raising the rod 43 at high speed, and the lock piece 46 temporarily stopping lowering of the raised rod 43. A notch 48 (the fragile part) breaking when a predetermined load is applied to it is provided on the lock piece 46.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle hood device having an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a vehicle hood device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-3 is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 15266 “Hood device for vehicle” is known. According to FIG. 1 of the publication, the above technique detects an obstacle with a pedestrian collision detection sensor 15 attached to a front bumper 14 (the reference numeral is the same as that used in the publication), and controls the detected signal. The vehicle hood device 11 is configured to lift the hood 13 by the hood lifting and holding mechanism 16 based on information from the control device 17 and to hold the hood 13 at the position. As shown, a hook 30 is provided on a rod 29 of a hood lifting and holding mechanism 16 (hereinafter, referred to as an actuator), and the hood 12 is held by locking the hook 30 to the vehicle body 12 side. is there.

[0003]

However, the hood device for a vehicle described above informs the control device 17 that the pedestrian collision detection sensor 15 has detected an obstacle, and the information from the control device 17 raises the hood lifting mechanism. Since the hood 13 is lifted at 16 and the hood 13 is held at that position, for example, when the hood 13 is lifted and an obstacle hits just above the rod 29 of the hood 13, the hood 13 is lifted. The impact received is large. That is, it is desired to reduce the impact of an obstacle (contact object).

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to alleviate the impact applied to the abutting object in the vehicle hood device when the abutting object hits directly above the actuator of the vehicle hood after lifting the vehicle hood. An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be designed.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle hood device including an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits the vehicle. A cylinder part opened in the actuator block, a rod slidably mounted on the cylinder part, a gas generator for raising the rod at high speed, and a lock piece for temporarily stopping the lowered rod. The locking piece is provided with a fragile portion that breaks when a predetermined load is applied, thereby making it possible to lower the raised rod.

[0006] A lock piece having a fragile portion is provided so as to protrude into the cylinder portion. When the abutting object hits the vehicle, the rod is raised at a high speed by the gas generator, the vehicle hood is lifted by a predetermined amount by the actuator, the locking piece is projected to the cylinder part, and the lowering of the rod is temporarily stopped. Do not fall down. Thereafter, a predetermined load is applied to the lock piece to break the fragile portion and lower the raised rod.

[0007] For example, when an abutting object hits a position just above the rod of the actuator of the vehicle hood, the fragile portion of the lock piece is broken. As a result, the rod can be lowered, and the impact applied to the abutting object can be reduced. Note that, when an abutting object hits the vehicle hood except for a portion immediately above the rod of the actuator, the lock piece is not broken because only a predetermined load or less is applied to the lock piece.
That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood can be held, and the clearance below the vehicle hood can be secured,
The impact applied to the contacting object due to the deformation of the vehicle hood can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle hood device including an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits the vehicle. It consists of a rod slidably mounted on the part, a gas generator that raises this rod at high speed, and a lock piece that temporarily stops the lowered rod. When a predetermined load is applied to this lock piece, By forming a tapered portion for retracting the lock piece itself, the raised rod can be lowered.

A lock piece having a tapered portion for retracting the lock piece itself when a predetermined load is applied is provided so as to protrude into the cylinder portion. When the abutting object hits the vehicle, the rod is raised at a high speed by the gas generator, the vehicle hood is lifted by a predetermined amount by the actuator, the locking piece is projected to the cylinder part, and the lowering of the rod is temporarily stopped. Do not fall down. Thereafter, when a predetermined load is applied to the lock piece, the rod crosses the tapered portion to retreat the lock piece itself and lower the raised rod.

For example, when an abutting object comes into contact with the actuator just above the rod of the vehicle hood, the rod rides over the tapered portion, and the locking piece itself is retracted. As a result, the rod can be lowered, and the impact applied to the abutting object can be reduced. When an abutting object comes into contact with the vehicle hood except for a portion immediately above the rod of the actuator, only a predetermined load or less is applied to the lock piece. That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood can be secured, so that the impact applied to the contacting object due to the deformation of the vehicle hood can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle hood device including an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when a contact object hits the vehicle. A rod that is slidably mounted on the part, a gas generator that raises this rod at high speed, and a lock piece that stops descent of the raised rod, which bends when a predetermined load is applied to the rod. It is characterized by providing a fragile part to be broken.

The lock piece is provided so as to be able to protrude into the cylinder portion, and the rod is provided with a fragile portion which bends or breaks when a predetermined load is applied. When the abutting object hits the vehicle, the rod is raised at a high speed by the gas generator, the vehicle hood is lifted by a predetermined amount by the actuator, the locking piece is projected to the cylinder part, and the lowering of the rod is temporarily stopped. Do not fall down. Thereafter, when a predetermined load is applied to the rod, the fragile portion of the rod bends or breaks.

For example, when an abutting object hits a position just above a rod of an actuator of a vehicle hood, a fragile portion of the rod is bent or broken. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact applied to the contact object. Note that, when the abutting object hits the vehicle hood except for the portion immediately above the rod of the actuator, the rod is not bent or broken because only a predetermined load or less is applied to the rod. That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood can be secured, so that the impact applied to the contacting object due to the deformation of the vehicle hood can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle hood device including an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits the vehicle. A rod slidably mounted on the part, a gas generator for raising the rod at a high speed, a lock piece for temporarily stopping the lowered rod, a lock piece return gas generator for retreating the lock piece, It is characterized by comprising a control unit for controlling the gas generator and the lock piece returning gas generator, and a load sensor for transmitting load information of a compression spring supporting the lock piece to the control unit.

The lock piece is provided so as to be able to protrude into the cylinder portion. When the abutting object hits the vehicle, the control unit activates the gas generator and raises the rod at high speed. At this time, the load sensor detects that the load of the compression spring supporting the lock piece has exceeded a predetermined load. At this time, the control unit does not operate the lock return return generator. The lot further raised after climbing over the lock piece raises the vehicle hood by a predetermined amount, and the lock piece protruding into the cylinder portion stops the lowering of the lot, so that the vehicle hood does not lower. Thereafter, when a predetermined load is applied to the compression spring supporting the lock piece, the lock piece is retracted by operating the lock piece return gas generator by the control unit, and the raised rod is lowered.

For example, when an abutting object hits the position just above the lot of the actuator of the vehicle hood, the load sensor detects that the load of the compression spring supporting the lock piece exceeds a predetermined load. At this time, the excess of the predetermined load of the compression spring is the second time following the rod rising due to the operation of the gas generator. At this time, the control unit activates the lock piece returning generator to retract the lock piece. As a result, the rod can be lowered, and the impact applied to the abutting object can be reduced. When a contact object hits the hood of the vehicle other than immediately above the rod of the actuator, only a predetermined load or less is applied to the compression spring supporting the lock piece. Will not be activated. That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood can be secured, so that the impact applied to the contacting object due to the deformation of the vehicle hood can be reduced.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that "before", "after",
“Left”, “right”, “up”, and “down” follow directions viewed from the driver, and Fr indicates the front side, Rr indicates the rear side, L indicates the left side, and R indicates the right side. Also, the drawings should be viewed in the direction of reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle hood device according to the present invention, wherein 10 is a vehicle, 11 is a vehicle body,
12 is a front bumper, 13 is a radiator grill, 14
Front fenders, 15, 15 are front pillars, 16
Denotes a windshield, 17 denotes a door, 18 denotes a roof, 19 denotes a front wheel, 20 denotes a vehicle hood device, and 40 denotes an actuator of the vehicle hood device 20. Vehicle hood device 20
As described below, this device is capable of reducing the impact applied to the abutting object even when the abutting object hits just above the rod 43 of the actuator 40 that raises the vehicle hood 21.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of a vehicle hood device according to the present invention. A vehicle hood device 20 includes a vehicle hood 21 for covering a front portion of a vehicle body 11 and a left / right hood 21 for opening and closing the vehicle hood 21. Right hinges 22L, 22R (22L
Only), actuators 40 and 40 for lifting the vehicle hood 21, a detection sensor 23 for detecting that the abutment M has hit the front bumper 12, and an actuator 40 based on information from the detection sensor 23. , 40
And a control unit 24 for operating and controlling. Note that the detection sensor 23 is preferably an acceleration sensor or the like.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing a side sectional view of the vehicle hood 21 and a side view of the hinge 22L. The vehicle hood 21 includes an outer panel 26 serving as an exterior.
And an inner panel 27 which is reinforced under the outer panel 26 to be reinforced. The hinge 22L includes a hinge base 31 fixed to the vehicle body 11 side, a first link 32 having one end rotatably attached to the hinge base 31 via a pin 36a, and a pin 36 connected to the other end of the first link 32.
a second link 33 that is rotatably mounted at one end via the “b”
And a hood mounting stay 34 rotatably mounted on the other end of the second link 33 via a pin 36c.
37 and 37 are bolts for attaching the hinge base 31 to the vehicle body 11, and 38 and 38 are bolts for attaching the vehicle hood 21 to the hood attachment stay 34. Hinge 22R
(See FIG. 1) has a shape symmetrical to the hinge 22L with respect to the center of the vehicle 10, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. Actuator 40
Are an actuator block 41 attached to the vehicle body 11 (see FIG. 2), a cylinder portion 42 opened in the actuator block 41, and one end 42 of the cylinder portion 42.
a, a gas generator 44 disposed at the other end 42b of the cylinder portion 42 for raising the rod 43 at a high speed, and a cylinder portion 42 for preventing the raised rod 43 from falling out of the cylinder portion 42. A piston stopper member 45 provided at one end 42a of the
A lock piece 46 is attached to the cylinder portion 42 so as to protrude therefrom so that the rod 43 stopped by the action of 5 does not descend, and a compression spring 47 as a resilient member for elastically pushing the lock piece 46 into the cylinder portion 42. Consists of Reference numeral 49 denotes a bush that receives the compression spring 47, and reference numeral 41a denotes a cylindrical portion opened in the actuator block 41, which is a portion that collectively stores the lock piece 46, the compression spring 47, and the bush 49.

The actuator block 41 is connected to the vehicle body 11
(See FIG. 1) is a block formed of an aluminum-based alloy or an iron-based alloy,
Is a substantially cylindrical portion formed on the actuator block 41. The rod 43 has a pad 52 attached to one end of the rod body 51 and abutted against the vehicle hood 21, and a piston 53 attached to the other end of the rod body 51 for sliding while rubbing against the cylinder portion 42. 53a is a tapered portion of the piston 53.

The gas generator 44 is provided with a lid member 44a on the actuator block 41 and an explosive (not shown) for generating gas. The piston stopping member 45 guides the rod 43 and
There is a member for sealing.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of components around the lock piece of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention. As described above, the cylinder portion 42 is provided so that the rod 43 (see FIG. 4) does not descend. The lock piece 46 is provided so as to be able to protrude therefrom, a compression spring 47 for elastically pushing the lock piece 46 to the cylinder portion 42, and a bush 49 for receiving the compression spring 47. This shows that the bush 47 and the bush 49 are collectively housed in the cylindrical portion 41a of the actuator block 41 (see FIG. 4).

The lock piece 46 includes a rod 43 (see FIG. 4).
Lock portion 46a for stopping the piston 53 of the cylindrical portion 41
a lock portion 46c for applying a compression spring 47, and a notch portion 48 as a fragile portion which breaks when a predetermined load is applied to the lock portion 46a. is there. The compression spring 47
It is a member for supporting the lock piece 46 and projecting the lock piece 46 from the cylinder portion 42. Bush 49
Is provided with a press-fit portion 49a for press-fitting into the cylindrical portion 41a and a spring hook portion 49b for hooking the compression spring 47.

Returning to FIG. 4, the vehicle hood device 20
In summary, the vehicle hood device 20 includes the vehicle 1
In a vehicle hood device including an actuator 40 that raises the vehicle hood 21 by a predetermined amount when the abutting object M hits 0 (see FIG. 2), the actuator 40 includes a cylinder portion 42 opened in an actuator block 41 and ,
Rod 4 slidably mounted on this cylinder part 41
3 and a gas generator 4 for raising the rod 43 at high speed
4 and a lock piece 46 for temporarily stopping the lift of the raised rod 43. The lock piece 46 is provided with a notch 48 (fragile portion) that breaks when a predetermined load is applied to the raised rod 43. Can be said to be able to descend.

A lock piece 46 having a notch 48 (fragile portion) is provided so as to protrude into the cylinder portion 42. Vehicle 10
When the abutting object M hits (see FIG. 2), the rod 43 is raised at a high speed by the gas generator 44, the vehicle hood 21 is lifted by a predetermined amount with the rod 43, and the lock piece 46 is projected to the cylinder portion 42. The lowering of the rod 43 is temporarily stopped to prevent the vehicle hood 21 from lowering. Then, lock piece 4
When a predetermined load is applied to 6, the notch portion 48 is broken, and the raised rod 43 is lowered.

For example, the notch 48 of the lock piece 46 is broken when the abutting object M hits the position just above the rod 43 of the actuator 40 of the vehicle hood 21. As a result,
The rod can be lowered by 43, and the impact applied to the abutting object M can be reduced. When the abutting object M hits the vehicle hood 21 except for the portion immediately above the rod 43 of the actuator 40, the lock piece 46 is not broken because only a predetermined load or less is applied to the lock piece 46. That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood 21 can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood 21 can be secured, so that the impact applied to the abutting object M due to the deformation of the vehicle hood 21 can be reduced.

The operation of the above-described vehicle hood device 20 will now be described. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are operation explanatory views (part 1) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention. (A)
Shows that the actuator 40 is in a state before the operation, and the rod 43 is in a state housed in the cylinder portion 42. Further, it shows that the lock piece 46 is in a state of being protruded from the cylinder portion 42.

In (b), the gas generator 44 is operated, the rod 43 is raised as shown by the arrow, and the vehicle hood 2 is moved.
Lift 1 as shown by the arrow. At this time, the lock piece 46 is retracted by the tapered portion 53a of the piston 53 as shown by the arrow. That is, the lifting of the rod 43 is not prevented.

In (c), the piston 5 of the rod 43
3 hits the piston stop member 45, and the rod 43 stops. At the stop position of the rod 43, the lower end 53b of the piston 53 is already positioned on the lock piece 46, and the lock piece 46 returns as indicated by the arrow due to the resilient action of the compression spring 47. That is, since the lock portion 46a of the lock piece 46 protrudes from the lower end 53b of the piston 53, the rod 43 is locked by the locking action of the lock piece 46, and the vehicle hood 21 does not descend as shown by the arrow. The hood 21 can be kept in a lifted state at the stop position of the rod 43.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams (2) of the operation of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention. (A), the actuator 4 for raising the vehicle hood 21
When a load is applied as shown by an arrow just above the 0 rod 43, a crack C is generated in the notch portion 48 of the lock piece 46, and the lock piece 46 is broken. In (b), by breaking the lock piece 46, the rod 43 can descend as shown by the arrow. Thus, for example, the rod 43 of the actuator 40 that raises the vehicle hood 21
When the abutting object M (see FIG. 2) hits immediately above, the impact applied to the abutting object M can be reduced. In addition,
Reference numeral 48a denotes a fragment of the notch portion 48.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those of the vehicle hood device 20 shown in FIG. . In the figure, 21 is a vehicle hood, 26 is an outer panel, 27 is an inner panel, 41 is an actuator block, 42 is a cylinder, 43 is a rod, 44 is a gas generator, 45 is a piston stopper, 47 is a compression spring, and 49 is a compression spring.
Is a bush, and the actuator 61 is a rod 43
When a predetermined load is applied to the lock piece 66, the lock piece 66 is formed with a tapered portion 68 that can retreat.

That is, the vehicle hood device 60 is a vehicle hood device provided with an actuator 61 that raises the vehicle hood 21 by a predetermined amount when the contact object M hits the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 2). 61,
Cylinder part 42 opened in actuator block 41
A rod 43 slidably mounted on the cylinder portion 42, a gas generator 44 for raising the rod 43 at high speed, and a lock piece 66 for temporarily stopping the lowered rod 43. By forming a tapered portion 68 on the piece 66 to retreat the lock piece 66 itself when a predetermined load is applied, it can be said that the raised rod 43 can be lowered.

For example, when an abutting object hits the vicinity of the rod 43 of the actuator 61 of the vehicle hood 21 just above the rod 43, the rod 43 goes over the tapered portion 68 and the locking piece 66.
Retract yourself. As a result, the rod 43 can be lowered, and the impact applied to the contact object M can be reduced. When the abutting object M hits the vehicle hood 21 except for the portion immediately above the rod 43 of the actuator 61, the load is applied only to a predetermined amount or less to the lock piece 66, so that the rod 43 does not climb over the tapered portion 68, Lock piece 66
Does not retreat. That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood 21 can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood 21 can be secured, so that the impact applied to the abutting object M due to the deformation of the vehicle hood 21 can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the vehicle hood device 20 shown in FIG. . The vehicle hood device 70 includes an actuator 7
The one rod 73 is provided with a neck portion 78 as a fragile portion that bends or breaks when a predetermined load is applied. That is, in the vehicle hood device including the actuator 71 that lifts the vehicle hood 21 by a predetermined amount when the contact object M hits the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 2),
The actuator 71 has a cylinder portion 42 opened in the actuator block 41, a rod 73 slidably mounted on the cylinder portion 42, a gas generator 44 for raising the rod 73 at high speed, and a rod 73 for raising the rod 73.
And a lock piece 76 for stopping the lowering of the rod 73.
It can be said that the provision of the neck portion 78 allows the rod 73 to bend or break when a predetermined load is applied.

For example, in the vicinity of the rod 73 of the actuator 71 which lifts the vehicle hood 21, an abutting object M is indicated by an arrow a
When the rod 73 hits as shown in FIG.
The rod 73 bends at the neck 78 as indicated by the two-dot chain line when receiving the load in the direction of. As a result, the contact object M
Can be reduced. Note that, when the abutting object M hits the vehicle hood 21 except for the portion immediately above the rod 73 of the actuator 71, the rod 73 does not bend or break since only a predetermined load or less is applied to the rod 73. . That is, the lifting of the vehicle hood 21 can be maintained, and the clearance below the vehicle hood 21 can be secured, so that the impact applied to the abutting object M due to the deformation of the vehicle hood 21 can be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those of the vehicle hood device 60 shown in FIG. . In the drawing, 12 is a front bumper, 21 is a hood for a vehicle, 23 is a detection sensor, 26 is an outer panel, 2
7 is an inner panel, 42 is a cylinder part, 43 is a rod,
44 is a gas generator, 45 is a piston stopper, 47 is a compression spring, 51 is a rod body, 52 is a pad, 53 is a piston, 53a is a taper portion of a piston 53, 66 is a lock piece, 68 is a taper portion, and 81 is a taper portion. An actuator,
The vehicle hood device 80 is provided with a lock-return gas generator 88 on the side of the cylinder portion 42, and a load sensor 86 for detecting the load of the compression spring 47 is interposed between the bush 85 and the compression spring 47. A control unit 84 for operating the lock piece return gas generator 88 based on the information of the load sensor 86 is provided.

When the abutting object M hits the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 84 operates the gas generator 44 and the rod 43
To rise. At this time, the taper portion 53 of the piston 53
The load sensor 86 detects that the compression spring 47 has exceeded a predetermined load by climbing over the lock piece 66 at a. At this time, the control unit 84 controls the lock-side return gas generator 88.
Is not operated (the first predetermined load of the compression spring 47 is exceeded). The rod 43 lifts the vehicle hood 21 and is stopped from lowering by the lock pieces 66. Thereafter, when a load is applied to the lock piece 66 and the load sensor 86 detects that the compression spring 47 has exceeded a predetermined load (the second predetermined load of the compression spring 47 is exceeded), the control section 84 returns the lock piece to the lock piece. By operating the gas generator 88 and retreating the lock piece 66, the raised rod 43 is lowered.

That is, the load sensor 86 detects that the compression spring 47 has exceeded the predetermined load, and when the compression spring 47 has exceeded the second predetermined load, the control unit 84 controls the locking half-return gas generator 88 to operate. By operating this, when the abutting object M hits the position just above the rod 43 of the actuator 81 that lifts the vehicle hood 21, the raised rod 43 can be lowered. As described above, by using the lock piece returning gas generator 88, the lock piece 66 can be forcibly retracted. Therefore, even if the taper 68 is gradually tapered, the raised rod 43 can be lowered. it can. Further, since the lock piece 66 can be retracted more quickly, the raised rod 43 can be lowered more quickly.

When the abutting object M hits the area just above the rod 43 of the actuator 81, the rod
Is larger than the load applied to the rod 43 from the piston 53 by the operation of the lock piece returning gas generator 88, the rod 43 can be lowered without opening the cylinder portion 42 to the atmosphere. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact applied to the contact object M. In addition, the abutment M
Is applied to the compression spring 47, only a load less than a predetermined value is applied.
8 is not activated. That is, the vehicle hood 2
1 can be held and the clearance below the vehicle hood 21 can be secured, so that the impact applied to the abutting object due to the deformation of the vehicle hood 21 can be reduced.

The vehicle hood device 80 is connected to the vehicle 10 (FIG. 2).
), The vehicle hood 21
In a hood device for a vehicle provided with an actuator 81 that lifts the actuator 81 by a predetermined amount, the actuator 81 is provided with a cylinder portion 42 opened in an actuator block 41, a rod 43 slidably attached to the cylinder portion 42, and a high-speed A gas generator 44 to be raised and a lock piece 66 for temporarily stopping the lowered rod 43.
When a load is applied to the lock piece 66 and the compression spring 47 is actuated when a predetermined load is exceeded, the lock piece 66 is activated.
, A lock-return gas generator 88 for retracting the lock 6, the gas generator 44 and the lock-return gas generator 88.
, And a compression spring 4
7 and a load sensor 86 for transmitting load information.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle hood device 20 includes two actuators 40, 4
Although an example in which 0 is arranged is shown, the invention is not limited to this.
One actuator may be arranged,
Alternatively, three or more actuators may be arranged. Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the notch portion 48 is provided as a fragile portion on the lock piece 66, but the fragile portion is not limited to the notch, and is broken when a predetermined load is applied to the lock piece. Any structure can be used. As a structure to be broken, for example, a portion supporting the rod of the lock piece is formed of a brittle member and connected to the main body of the lock piece, or the lock piece is calculated from a predetermined load and an optimum material is selected. Structure is conceivable. When calculating the lock piece from a predetermined load and selecting the optimum material, it can be expected that the processing cost can be reduced. Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the rod 73 is provided with the neck portion 78 as a fragile portion, but the fragile portion is not limited to the neck, and has a structure in which the rod 73 is broken when a predetermined load is applied to the rod. I just need. As a structure to be broken, for example, a structure in which a hole is formed in the rod, a notch is formed in the rod, or the rod is divided and connected with a brittle member is considered.

[0044]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited by the above configuration. According to the first aspect, the locking piece is provided with a fragile portion that breaks when a predetermined load is applied. Therefore, for example, when the abutment hits the vehicle hood, the fragile portion of the locking piece can be broken. it can. As a result, it is possible to lower the raised rod and reduce the impact applied to the contacting object.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lock piece is formed with a tapered portion for retracting the lock piece itself when a predetermined load is applied. It is possible to get over the tapered portion and to retract the lock piece itself. As a result, it is possible to lower the raised rod and reduce the impact applied to the contacting object.

According to the third aspect, the rod is provided with a fragile portion which bends or breaks when a predetermined load is applied.
For example, when the abutment hits the vehicle hood, the weak portion of the rod can be bent or broken.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact applied to the contact object.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a lock piece returning gas generator that is operated when a predetermined load is applied twice to the compression spring supporting the lock piece to retreat the lock piece, and a gas generator and a lock piece for these. Since the control unit for controlling the return gas generator and the load sensor for transmitting the load information of the compression spring supporting the lock piece to the control unit are provided, for example, when a contacting object hits the vehicle hood, The lock piece can be retracted. As a result, it is possible to lower the raised rod and reduce the impact applied to the contacting object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram of a vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a lock mechanism of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention (part 1);

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention (part 2).

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a vehicle hood device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 20, 60, 70, 80 ... Vehicle hood device, 21 ... Vehicle hood, 40, 61, 71, 81 ... Actuator, 41 ... Actuator block, 42 ...
Cylinder part, 43, 73 ... rod, 44 ... gas generator,
46, 66, 76 ... lock piece, 47 ... compression spring, 48 ...
Vulnerable part (notch part), 78 ... fragile part (neck part), 84
... Control part, 86 ... Load sensor, 88 ... Gas generator for lock return, M ... Abutment.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle hood device comprising an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits a vehicle, wherein the actuator comprises: a cylinder portion opened in an actuator block; It consists of a slidably mounted rod, a gas generator that raises this rod at high speed, and a lock piece that temporarily stops the lowered rod, and breaks when a predetermined load is applied to this lock piece. A hood device for a vehicle, wherein a raised rod can be lowered by providing a fragile portion. 2. A vehicle hood device comprising an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits a vehicle, wherein the actuator comprises: a cylinder portion opened in an actuator block; It comprises a rod slidably mounted, a gas generator for raising this rod at high speed, and a lock piece for temporarily stopping the lowered rod. When a predetermined load is applied to this lock piece, the lock piece A hood device for a vehicle, wherein a raised rod can be lowered by forming a tapered portion for retracting itself. 3. A vehicle hood device comprising an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits a vehicle, the actuator comprising: a cylinder portion opened in an actuator block; A rod that is slidably mounted, a gas generator that raises this rod at high speed, and a lock piece that stops descent of the raised rod. The rod bends or breaks when a predetermined load is applied. A hood device for a vehicle, wherein a fragile portion is provided. 4. A vehicle hood device comprising an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood by a predetermined amount when an abutting object hits a vehicle, the actuator comprising: a cylinder portion opened in an actuator block; A rod that is slidably mounted, a gas generator that raises the rod at high speed, a lock piece that temporarily stops the lowered rod, a gas generator for returning the lock piece that retreats the lock piece, A hood device for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit that controls a gas generator and a gas generator for returning a lock piece; and a load sensor that transmits load information of a compression spring supporting the lock piece to the control unit.