JP3328607B2 - Vehicle hood device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hood device provided for opening and closing an engine room at a front portion of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some vehicle hood devices lift a hood by a predetermined amount when a running vehicle collides with an obstacle and hold the hood at the raised position. Lifting the hood increases the amount of downward deformation, and can greatly increase the amount of collision energy absorbed by the deformation. As a vehicle hood device of this type, for example,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-315266 discloses a "hood device for a vehicle".

According to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the above publication, the collision sensor 15 detects the collision of a vehicle with an obstacle (the number is cited in the publication. The same applies hereinafter), and this detection is performed. Based on the signal, the control device 17 operates the hood lifting and holding mechanism 16, and the hood lifting and holding mechanism 16 raises the links 23 and 25, thereby lifting the rear portion of the hood 13 by a predetermined amount and lifting the same. That is, it is held at a position.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional hood device for a vehicle, the hood 13 is maintained at a raised position. However, the obstacle does not always collide with the hood 13 after the vehicle collides with the obstacle. On the other hand, the raised hood 13 blocks the driver's view of driving. It is preferable that the state in which the driver's view is blocked is immediately released. The same applies when the hood 13 is lifted for some reason.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of promptly releasing a state in which a driver's field of view is blocked by a raised hood when a vehicle collides with an obstacle. .

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a vehicle collides with an obstacle, a hood at a front portion of the vehicle is lifted by a predetermined amount and held at the raised position. In such a vehicle hood device,
This vehicle hood device includes a hood collision detection sensor that emits a detection signal when an obstacle collides with the hood, a hood return actuator used to return a lifting hood to an original position, and a hood lifted. Later, even when the detection signal is received and when the detection signal is not received, if the elapsed time after the lifting is within the predetermined time, the hood is kept lifted, and the elapsed time without the detection signal is the predetermined time. And a hood return control unit that causes the hood return actuator to return when it exceeds the threshold value.

When the vehicle collides with an obstacle, the hood is lifted. After lifting, the hood remains lifted within a predetermined time period even when the hood collision detection sensor detects that an obstacle collides with the hood, or when it is not detected. Since an obstacle collides with the hood that has been lifted, the impact force can be sufficiently absorbed by greatly deforming the hood. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed without an obstacle colliding with the hood, the hood returns to the position before lifting. The state in which the driver's view of driving is blocked by the raised hood can be promptly released.

[0008]

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 the direction 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 hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention. The vehicle hood device 10 is provided with an engine room 12 at a front portion of a vehicle 11, closes an upper opening of the engine room 12 with a front-opening hood 13, and holds a rear end of the hood 13 on a vehicle body frame 14 on the left and right sides. Mechanism 2
It is mounted to be openable and closable at 0 and 20. Food 13
The front part can be locked to the body frame 14 by the hood lock 15. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes a windshield.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention, in which a front half of a vehicle 11 is viewed from a left side. The hood device 10 includes left and right hood holding mechanisms 2
0, 20 (only the left and right sides are shown in this figure; the same applies hereinafter), a vehicle speed sensor 31 for detecting a vehicle speed, and a vehicle 11
Sensor 33 and a floor sensor 35 that emit a detection signal when the vehicle collides with an obstacle 32 in front of the hood 1
A hood collision detection sensor 37 that emits a detection signal when an obstacle 32 collides with the hood 3, left and right hood lifting actuators 40 used to lift the rear part of the closed hood 13, and a hood 13 that is being lifted Left and right hood return actuators 50 used to return to the position
, Vehicle speed sensor 31, bumper sensor 33, floor sensor 3
5 and based on the signal of the hood collision detection sensor 37,
The control unit 60 controls the hood lifting actuator 40 and the hood return actuator 50.

The bumper sensor 33 is a sensor attached to the front bumper 34 of the vehicle 11, and the floor sensor 35 is a sensor attached to the floor 36 of the vehicle 11. These sensors 33 and 35 are acceleration sensors. The presence or absence of the floor sensor 35 is optional. The hood collision detection sensor 37 is attached to the back of the hood 13 and
It is an acceleration sensor that emits a detection signal when a deceleration of a predetermined value or more acts on the upper surface of the hood 13. For example, when a large impact force acting on the upper surface of the hood 13 such that the hood 13 is deformed by a predetermined amount or more, the hood collision detection sensor 37 detects a deceleration corresponding to the impact force and issues a detection signal. The control unit 60 is, for example, a microcomputer.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention, showing a state in which a rear portion of the hood 13 is lifted. The hood 13 includes a swing arm 17 extending rearward. The hood holding mechanism 20 includes a bracket 21 bolted to the body frame 14 and a lower link 23 attached to the bracket 21 so as to be able to swing back and forth with a first pin 22.
An upper link 25 attached to the swing arm 17 so as to be able to swing back and forth with a second pin 24, and a hinge portion 26 connecting the upper link 25 to the lower link 23 so as to be able to swing back and forth.
And a link mechanism comprising: The hinge part 26
The upper links 23 and 25 are connected by a third pin 27.

The hood lifting actuator 40 and the hood return actuator 50 are housed in a single housing 41 and mounted on the body frame 14. The hood lifting actuator 40 includes a cylinder 42 formed in the housing 41 with an upper part opened, a piston 43 inserted into the cylinder 42 so as to be able to reciprocate, a lifting inflator 47, and a stopper 48.

The hood return actuator 50 includes a cylinder 51 formed in the housing 41 with its upper part opened, a seal portion 52 for sealing the upper end of the cylinder 51, a piston 53 inserted into the cylinder 51 so as to be able to reciprocate, and a cylinder 51. And a return inflator 58 extending outward through a hole 54 in the seal portion 52 of FIG.
The end of the return wire 55 extending outward from the seal portion 52
It is connected to the upper part of the lower link 23.

The lifting inflator 47 and the returning inflator 58 ignite a gas generating agent by an ignition device (not shown) when receiving an electric control signal from the control unit 60, and generate a large amount of gas. This gas is transferred to cylinder 42,
51. The pressure of the cylinders 42 and 51 is temporarily increased by the supplied gas. As a result,
The lifting piston 43 rises and the returning piston 5
3 goes down. Since the cylinders 42 and 51 are provided with small-diameter orifices (not shown), the internal pressure decreases after a short time.

The hood lifting actuator 40 sends a control signal (a hood lifting signal O) to a lifting inflator 47.
N), the cylinder 42 temporarily increases its pressure, and the piston 43 rises by a predetermined stroke. After that, it descends to the original position according to the pressure drop of the cylinder 42.

When the control signal (hood return signal ON) is received by the return inflator 58, the hood return actuator 50 temporarily raises the pressure of the cylinder 51, so that the piston 53 is lowered by a predetermined stroke. Piston 53
The return wire 55 pulled toward the upper part causes the upper part of the lower link 23 to swing forward by pulling it forward.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the control unit according to the present invention, and shows a control flow when the control unit 60 (see FIG. 2) is a microcomputer.
In the figure, STxx indicates a step number. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. ST01: The traveling vehicle speed Vc detected by the vehicle speed sensor 31 is equal to or higher than the reference vehicle speed Vo (for example, 20 to 30 km / Hr or higher).
Is determined, and if “YES”, the process proceeds to “ST02”. If “NO”, “ST01” is repeated. ST02: It is determined whether the bumper sensor 33 is ON, that is, whether there is a detection signal from the bumper sensor 33. If YES, the process proceeds to "ST03", and if NO, the process returns to "ST01".

ST03: It is determined whether the floor sensor 35 is ON, that is, whether there is a detection signal from the floor sensor 35. If YES, the process proceeds to "ST04", and N
If O, the process returns to “ST01”. The floor sensor 35 emits a detection signal when the acceleration is lower than a predetermined acceleration, for example. Therefore, "S
If the determination in T03 is YES, it means that the obstacle 32 with which the vehicle 11 has collided is a lightweight object having a predetermined weight or less. Thus, “ST01” to “ST0”
When it is determined that all three are YES, it is determined that the vehicle 11 has collided with the obstacle 32. In addition, the vehicle hood device 1
When the floor sensor 35 is not provided in the “ST0
3 "is unnecessary.

ST04: When all of "ST01" to "ST03" are YES, the hood lifting signal is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to “ST05”. The hood lifting actuator 40 is operated based on the ON of the hood lifting signal. ST05: Start the timer function and proceed to "ST06". ST06: Whether the hood collision detection sensor 37 is ON
That is, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal from the hood collision detection sensor 37. If YES, the control is terminated, and NO
If so, the process proceeds to “ST07”. ST07: The count time Tc of the timer function is the reference time T
It is determined whether it is greater than or equal to o (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 sec). If YES, the process proceeds to “ST08”, and if NO, the process returns to “ST06”. ST08: Turn on the hood return signal to end the control. Based on the ON of the hood return signal, the hood return actuator 50 is operated to return the hood 13 to the original position.

Thus, "ST01" to "ST03"
Is a collision determination function for determining that the vehicle 11 has collided with the obstacle 32. “ST04” is a lifting command function for lifting the hood lifting actuator 40.
“ST05” and “ST07” are timer functions for measuring a predetermined time after the hood 13 is lifted. "ST0
"6" is a collision determination function for determining that the obstacle 32 has collided with the hood 13. “ST08” is a return command function that causes the hood return actuator 50 to return.

As is clear from the above description, the control unit 6
Reference numeral 0 has a built-in timer and plays a role of a “hood lifting control unit” for lifting the hood lifting actuator 40 and a role of a “hood return control unit” for returning the hood returning actuator 50. That is, after lifting the hood 13, the control unit 60 determines whether the elapsed time after the lifting is within the predetermined time even when receiving the detection signal from the hood collision detection sensor 37 and when not receiving the detection signal. It has a function of returning the hood return actuator 50 when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time without receiving the detection signal while the hood 13 is being lifted.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention, showing a state where the hood 13 is lifted. The hood holding mechanism 20 is a mechanism for holding the rear portion of the hood 13 so as to be able to move up and down. The hinge portion 26 is offset by a distance S toward the rear of the vehicle (the right side in this figure) with the rear portion of the hood 13 lifted. It is characterized by. Specifically, the center B of the third pin 27 is offset by a distance S toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to a straight line A passing through the center of the first pin 22 and the center of the second pin 24. The hood holding mechanism 20 in which the hinge portion 26 is offset as described above is a "-"-shaped link (horizontal V-shaped link) that can be bent to accommodate the vertical movement of the hood 13. .

Further, the hood holding mechanism 20, which is a V-shaped link, is characterized in that it has two upper and lower opening limit stoppers 23a and 25a for limiting the full opening α3.
Specifically, the lower link 23 is formed integrally with a lower opening limit stopper 23a at a lower rear end, and the upper link 25 is formed integrally with an upper opening limit stopper 25a at a lower front end.

Since the lower opening limit stopper 23a contacts the rear upper end 21a of the bracket 21, it is possible to restrict the lower link 23 from swinging further backward. In addition, the upper opening limit stopper 25a is
By hitting the upper front end 23b of the third link 3, it is possible to restrict the upper link 25 from further swinging forward. As a result, the full opening degree α3 can be limited.

Next, the operation of the hood holding mechanism 20 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram (part 1) of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention.
3 shows a normal state in which the engine room is closed by lowering it.
At this time, the hood holding mechanism 20 is in a folded state in which the hinge portion 26 is offset toward the front of the vehicle, and has a “<” shape (“<” shape of an inequality sign) when viewed from the left side. Here, a straight line passing through the center of the first pin 22 and the center of the third pin 27 is denoted by C, and a straight line passing through the center of the second pin 24 and the center of the third pin 27 is denoted by D. With the center of the third pin 27 as the intersection, the angle between the straight line C and the straight line D is α1
It is. The angle α1 is the angle when the square link is fully closed, ie, the fully closed angle of the square link (fully closed degree).
And is acutely angled.

The hood 13 uses the second pin 24 as a fulcrum,
You can swing up and down (arrow). Food 13
With the front part of the hood 13 locked to the body frame,
When the rear end is lifted (arrow), the upper link 25 starts swinging with the third pin 27 as a fulcrum, and the lower link 23 starts swinging with the first pin 22 as a fulcrum (arrow).

FIG. 7 is an operation diagram (part 2) of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention, and shows a state in which the rear end of the hood 13 is further lifted from FIG. Lower and upper links 23, 2
5 further swings, so that the third pin 27 swings backward (to the right in this figure) (arrow). At this time, with the center of the third pin 27 as an intersection, a straight line C and a straight line D
Is α2. The angle α2 is an obtuse angle and is larger than the fully closed angle α1 shown in FIG. That is, the opening of the V-shaped link increases in accordance with the lifting amount of the hood 13.

FIG. 8 is an operation diagram (part 3) of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention. By further lifting the rear end of the hood 13 from FIG.
4 shows a state in which the fourth pin 27 and the third pin 27 are arranged on a straight line E.
When the hood 13 is lifted vigorously, the third pin 27 swings rearward of the vehicle from the straight line E due to its inertia (arrow). That is, the hinge portion 26 that has been offset to the front of the vehicle is turned back and forth while lifting the hood 13 and is offset to the rear of the vehicle. The degree of opening of the link is further increased.

When the third pin 27 swings rearward of the vehicle from the straight line E, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower opening limit stopper 23a contacts the rear upper end 21a of the bracket 21 and the upper opening limit stopper 25a. Is lower link 2
3 corresponds to the upper front end 23b. When viewed from the left side, the hood holding mechanism 20 has an inverted “ku” character (an inequality sign “>”).
The swing is stopped in the state in which (state) is exhibited. At this time,
The angle formed by the straight line C and the straight line D with the center of the third pin 27 as the intersection is α3. The angle α3 is an angle when the V-shaped link is fully opened, that is, a fully-opened angle (fully-opened degree) of the V-shaped link, which is larger than the angle α2 shown in FIG. 7 and exceeds 180 °. The lift at the rear of the hood 13 is maximized.

In other words, with the hood 13 lifted by a predetermined amount, the V-shaped link is connected to the lower / upper opening restriction stopper 2.
The full opening degree α3 is limited by 3a and 25a, and is not opened any more. As is apparent from the above description, the degree of opening of the V-shaped link changes from the fully closed opening degree (fully closed angle) α1 in a state where the hood 13 shown in FIG. 6 is lowered to a state where the hood 13 shown in FIG. Fully opened angle (full opening angle) α3.

FIG. 9 is an operation diagram (part 4) of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention, and shows the hood holding mechanism 2 shown in FIG.
It is an operation explanatory view where 0 is shown again. Food 13
The reason why the rear part can be held at the position where the rear part is lifted by a predetermined amount will be described below. Lower opening limit stopper 23
a contacts the bracket 21, so that the lower link 23
Cannot swing backwards. Upper opening limit stopper 25
a hits the lower link 23, so that the upper link 25
Cannot swing forward. This is indicated by symbols x and x. Further, the front of the hood 13 is a hood lock 15.
Since the hood 13 cannot be moved back and forth since it is locked to the body frame 14 (see FIG. 1), the upper link 25 cannot swing backward.

Here, the hinge 26 is offset from the straight line A to the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the straight line D becomes the straight line A
At an angle β. Hood 13 to second pin 24
When a downward load W1 along the straight line D acts on the third pin 27, the load W1 acts on the third pin 27. The load W1 acting on the third pin 27 is determined by the downward component force W2 according to the angle β.
And the lateral component W3 in the rearward direction. The component force W3 is a force that causes the lower link 23 to swing backward. However, as described above, the lower link 23 cannot swing backward. Further, a force that causes the lower link 23 to swing forward from the hood 13 does not act.

As is apparent from the above description, the hood 1
3 When the rear part is lifted by a predetermined amount,
The hood can be securely held by the hood holding mechanism 20 composed of a figure link. Therefore, a mechanism for holding the lifted hood 13 is provided by a hood lift actuator 4.
0 (see FIG. 3). Further, there is no need to connect the hood lifting actuator 40 to the hood 13 or the hood holding mechanism 20.

In this state, when the return wire 55 is pulled forward (arrow), the lower link 23 is connected to the first pin 2.
The upper link 25 swings forward with the third pin 27 as a fulcrum (arrow). Therefore, the hood 13 descends and returns to the original position (arrow).

Next, the operation of the hood device 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram (part 1) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention, and shows a normal state in which the hood 13 is lowered and the engine room 12 is closed. At this time, the hood holding mechanism 20 is in a folded state. The hood 13 can swing up and down with the second pin 24 as a fulcrum. By opening the hood 13 as indicated by the imaginary line, maintenance / inspection work of the equipment 18 housed in the engine room 12 can be performed.

FIG. 11 is an operation diagram (part 2) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention, and shows a normal state in which the hood 13 is lowered and the engine room 12 is closed. When the vehicle 11 collides with the obstacle 32 while traveling at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher, the control unit 60 issues a “hood lifting signal ON” to the hood lifting actuator 40. Therefore, the hood lifting actuator 40 starts the lifting operation and pushes up the rear rear surface 13a of the hood 13 by projecting the lifting portion 44 at high speed.

FIG. 12 is an operation diagram (part 3) of the hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention. The hood 13 is shown by an imaginary line by protruding the lifting portion 44 at a predetermined maximum height at a high speed. It indicates that it has been pushed up from the height to the height indicated by the solid line. The hood 13 is further lifted by inertia. As the hood 13 rises, the hood holding mechanism 20 also stands up.

FIG. 13 is an operation diagram (part 4) of the hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention, and shows that the hood holding mechanism 20 has reached the full opening degree α3 and has stopped swinging. Therefore, the hood 13 cannot be lifted any more. As a result, the rear portion of the hood 13 has been lifted by a predetermined amount (100 to 200 mm) from the original position shown by the imaginary line to the position shown by the solid line. The hood holding mechanism 20 holds the hood 13 at a raised position.

After the hood 13 is lifted, the collision of the obstacle 32 with the hood 13 is detected by a hood collision detection sensor 37.
Is detected, and even if it is not detected, if the elapsed time after lifting is within a predetermined time, the hood 13
Remains lifted. That is, the relatively large impact force that can be detected by the hood collision detection sensor
When 2 collides with hood 13, hood 13 remains lifted.

The distance from the hood 13 lifted by a predetermined amount to a device 18 such as an engine housed in the engine room 12 is large. As a result, the amount of downward deformation of the hood 13 increases. Therefore, even when the obstacle 32 collides with the hood 13 with a relatively large impact force,
By greatly deforming the raised hood 13 as shown by the imaginary line, the impact force can be sufficiently absorbed. Therefore, the device 18 can be protected from the obstacle 32 and the impact on the obstacle 32 can be sufficiently reduced.

FIG. 14 is an operation view (part 5) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention. After the vehicle 11 collides with the obstacle 32 and lifts the hood 13, the hood collision detection sensor 37 does not detect that the obstacle 32 collides with the hood 13, that is, the obstacle 32 does not collide with the hood 13. The predetermined time may elapse.

At this time, the control section 60 issues a "hood return signal ON" to the hood return actuator 50. The hood return actuator 50 starts the return operation, and pulls the return wire 55 at high speed. Hood holding mechanism 20
Is folded, the hood 13 descends and returns to its original position before lifting. The state in which the driver's driving view is blocked by the raised hood 13 can be promptly released.

FIG. 15 is a system diagram of a vehicle hood device (modification) according to the present invention. Hood device 1 of modified example
0 is characterized in that the control unit 60 shown in FIG. 2 is separated into a hood lifting control unit 61 for lifting the hood lifting actuator 40 and a hood return control unit 62 for returning the hood returning actuator 50. And The other configurations and operations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 described above, and are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The description is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a control flowchart of the hood lifting control section (modification) according to the present invention, and shows a control flow of the hood lifting control section 61 (see FIG. 15). The hood lifting control unit 61 executes the contents of “ST01” to “ST04” in the control flow shown in FIG. That is, “ST11” is replaced by “S
T01 is the same, ST12 is the same as ST02,
“ST13” is the same as “ST03”, “ST14” is the same as “ST04”, and the control ends when “ST14” ends.

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of the hood return control section (modification) according to the present invention, and shows a control flow of the hood return control section 62 (see FIG. 15). Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. ST21: In "ST14" of FIG. 16 described above, it is determined whether the hood lifting signal is ON. If YES, the process proceeds to "ST22", and if NO, "ST21" is repeated. "ST22" to "ST25" have the same contents as "ST05" to "ST08" in the control flow shown in FIG. That is, “ST22” is the same as “ST05”, “ST23” is the same as “ST06”, “ST24”
Is the same as “ST07”, “ST25” is the same as “ST08”, and the control ends when “ST25” ends.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications of the present invention, (1) the hood holding mechanism 20 may be directly attached to the hood 13 or the body frame 14, and the presence or absence of the swing arm 17 and the bracket 21 is optional. is there. (2) The hood lifting actuator 40 and the hood return actuator 50 are not limited to two on the left and right, and may be provided, for example, one by one so as to lift and return the hood 13. (3) The hood return actuator 50 may directly return the hood 13 without being connected to the hood holding mechanism 20. (4) The reference time To of “ST07” shown in FIG. 4, that is, the predetermined time after lifting the hood 13 is arbitrary.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited by the above configuration. Claim 1 is a hood device for a vehicle, a hood collision detection sensor that emits a detection signal when an obstacle collides with the hood, a hood return actuator used to return the raised hood to its original position, Even if the detection signal is received and the detection signal is not received after the hood is lifted, if the elapsed time after lifting is within a predetermined time, the hood is kept lifted, and the process proceeds without receiving the detection signal. And a hood return control unit for returning the hood return actuator when the time exceeds a predetermined time, so that when the hood collision detection sensor detects
The impact force can be sufficiently absorbed by colliding an obstacle with the hood that has been lifted and deforming the hood greatly. Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed without an obstacle colliding with the hood, the hood is returned to the position before lifting. The state in which the driver's view of driving is blocked by the raised hood can be promptly released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of a control unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of a hood holding mechanism according to the present invention (part 1).

FIG. 7 is an operation diagram of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention (part 2).

FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention (part 3).

FIG. 9 is an operation diagram of the hood holding mechanism according to the present invention (part 4).

FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention (part 1).

FIG. 11 is an operation diagram (part 2) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation diagram (part 3) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation diagram (part 4) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an operation diagram (part 5) of the vehicle hood device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a system diagram of a vehicle hood device (modification) according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a hood lifting control unit according to the present invention (modification).
Control flowchart

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of a hood return control unit (modified example) according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle hood apparatus, 11 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Engine room, 13 ... Hood, 18 ... Equipment, 31 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 32 ... Obstacle, 33 ... Bumper sensor, 35 ... Floor sensor, 37 ... Hood collision detection sensor, 40: hood lifting actuator, 50: hood return actuator, 60: control unit, 61: hood lifting control unit, 62 ...
Hood return control unit.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-9-315266 (JP, A) JP-A-10-194158 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62D 25/10 B60R 21/02 B60R 21/34 692

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hood device for a vehicle, wherein when a vehicle collides with an obstacle, a hood at a front portion of the vehicle is lifted by a predetermined amount and held at the raised position.
The hood device for a vehicle includes: a hood collision detection sensor that emits a detection signal when an obstacle collides with the hood; a hood return actuator that is used to return a raised hood to an original position; After lifting, even when receiving the detection signal and when not receiving the detection signal, if the elapsed time after the lifting is within a predetermined time, the hood is kept lifted, and the hood remains without receiving the detection signal. A hood return control unit that causes the hood return actuator to return when the time exceeds a predetermined time.