JP4884407B2 - Pop-up hood device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle pop-up hood device.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of pedestrian protection and the like, when a vehicle collides with a collision body such as a pedestrian, a vehicle pop-up hood device has been developed that lifts the rear end of the hood and receives the collision body with the hood to mitigate the impact. ing. For example, in the vehicle pop-up hood device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a pair of left and right hood hinges are disposed on both sides of the rear end of the hood. The provided actuator operates, and the hood side link of the hood hinge is pushed up by the push-up rod.
JP 2005-225392 A

  However, in the case of the above prior art, when a collision load is input from above the hood while the hood is in the pushed-up position holding state, the hood hinges absorb the energy with the pushed-up hood and the hood descends further below the initial state. A part of the hinge arm (specifically, a flange that protrudes downward by bending the side of the hinge arm to the lower side of the hood) interferes with the upper end of the actuator housing and resists the collision body. It is conceivable that the force increases rapidly. Therefore, a device that prevents such a bottomed load from occurring is desired.

  In the present invention, in consideration of the above facts, in the configuration in which the rod is extended by the operation of the actuator and the hood is pushed up at the time of collision with the collision body, when the hood is lowered to the initial assembly position or more, the flange of the hinge arm and the actuator It is an object to obtain a vehicle pop-up hood device that can suppress or prevent the occurrence of a load with a bottom due to interference with the upper end of the housing.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the rear side of the hood is supported to be openable / closable on the vehicle body side via the hood hinge, while the actuator mounted on the vehicle is actuated so that the rod extends to the upper side of the hood and the rear side of the hood is A pop-up hood device for a vehicle that pushes up the hood and holds the hood at the push-up position, and is provided on the side of the hood-side mounting member in the hood hinge so as to reinforce the hood-side mounting member. A protruding flange is formed, and in the state where the hood is in the push-up position, a collision load of a predetermined value or more from the upper side of the hood acts on the vicinity of the push-up portion of the hood by the rod, and the hood exceeds the initial assembly position of the hood. When the flange is lowered to the bottom, the flange interferes with the upper end of the actuator housing. And a bottomed load inhibiting and preventing means to suppress or prevent the load occurs, characterized in that.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle pop-up hood device according to the first aspect, at least a part of the flange is disposed so as to overlap in the vehicle width direction with respect to an upper end portion of the housing of the actuator in a plan view. Further, the bottomed load suppression / prevention means is an interference avoidance structure for avoiding interference between the flange and the upper end of the housing when the hood is lowered to a position higher than the initial assembly position of the hood. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle pop-up hood device according to the first aspect, at least a part of the flange is disposed so as to overlap the upper end portion of the housing of the actuator in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. Further, the bottomed load suppression / prevention means is configured such that the flange and the upper end of the housing when the hood is lowered to a position higher than the initial assembly position of the hood and the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing. It is assumed that it is a change promoting means for deforming at least one of the above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pop-up hood device for a vehicle according to the second aspect, the interference avoidance structure is configured so that the flange extends from the upper end of the housing to the hood width direction with reference to the upper end of the housing of the actuator. The structure is characterized in that it is inclined or shifted to the side of separation.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the deformation promoting means is provided on the flange, and the flange is deformed when the flange interferes with an upper end portion of the housing. It is a part.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the actuator mounted on the vehicle is actuated, the rod extends to the upper side of the hood, the rear side of the hood is pushed upward to the upper side of the hood, and is held at that position.

  In this state where the hood is pushed up, if a collision load of a predetermined value or more acts on the vicinity of the hood push-up area by the rod from the upper side of the hood, the hood is lowered, and the collision energy is absorbed.

  Here, since the reinforcing flange protrudes downward from the hood on the side of the hood-side mounting member in the hood hinge, when the hood is lowered beyond the initial assembly position of the hood, Although it is possible that the flange of the hood side mounting member and the upper end of the actuator housing interfere with each other, in the case of the present invention, the occurrence of a load with a bottom due to the interference of the flange with the upper end of the actuator housing is suppressed. Alternatively, since the bottomed load suppressing / preventing means is provided, the flange of the hood side mounting member does not interfere with the upper end portion of the actuator housing at all, or even if it interferes, it only needs to interfere slightly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the flange formed on the side portion of the hood side mounting member in the hood hinge overlaps in the vehicle width direction with respect to the upper end portion of the housing of the actuator in plan view. Are arranged.
Here, in the present invention, the bottomed load suppression / prevention means is configured as an interference avoidance structure that avoids interference between the flange and the upper end of the housing when the hood is lowered beyond the initial assembly position of the hood. Therefore, even if the hood is lowered beyond the initial assembly position of the hood, the flange and the upper end of the housing do not interfere at all or hardly interfere. Therefore, the generation of a sudden bottom load is suppressed or prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the flange formed on the side portion of the hood side mounting member in the hood hinge overlaps the upper end portion of the housing of the actuator in the vehicle width direction in plan view. Are arranged.
Here, in the present invention, when the bottomed load suppressing / preventing means is lowered to a position above the initial assembly position of the hood and the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing, the flange and the upper end of the housing Therefore, even if the hood descends above the initial assembly position of the hood and the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing, at least one of the hoods is suddenly deformed. Generation of bottom load is suppressed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the interference avoidance structure is configured as a structure in which the flange is inclined or shifted from the upper end portion of the housing toward the side away from the upper end portion of the housing in the hood width direction with reference to the upper end portion of the actuator housing. Therefore, even if the hood is lowered, the flange does not interfere with the upper end portion of the actuator, or even if it interferes, a rapid bottoming load does not occur.

  And since it is the structure which inclines or shifts the flange to the side spaced apart in the hood width direction, the number of parts does not increase and the number of processing steps does not increase.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the deformation promoting means is provided on the flange, and is configured as a fragile portion that deforms the flange when the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing. When the flange interferes with the upper end portion of the actuator housing, the flange is easily deformed starting from the fragile portion. Therefore, a sudden bottom load is not generated.

  And since it is the structure which provides a weak part in a flange, a number of parts does not increase.

  As described above, the pop-up hood device for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention has a structure in which the hood is pushed up by the operation of the actuator to push up the hood at the time of the collision with the collision body. When it is lowered, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a load with a bottom due to interference between the flange of the hinge arm and the upper end portion of the housing of the actuator.

  The vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is excellent in that the occurrence of bottom load can be suppressed or prevented by avoiding interference between the flange and the upper end portion of the housing by the interference avoidance structure. It has the effect.

  The pop-up hood device for a vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention has an excellent effect that the generation of a bottomed load can be suppressed or prevented by deforming at least one of the flange and the housing by the deformation promoting means. Have.

  The pop-up hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4 has an excellent effect that the number of parts does not increase, so that the structure is complicated, the weight is not increased, and the cost is not increased.

  The pop-up hood device for a vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5 has an excellent effect that the structure is not complicated and the weight is not increased.

  [First Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, an arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the vehicle front side, an arrow UP indicates the vehicle upper side, and an arrow IN indicates the vehicle width direction inner side.

  The top view which shows the whole structure of the pop-up hood apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 1st Embodiment is shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the normal state of the pop-up mechanism portion arranged on the right side of the right-hand drive vehicle when viewed from the driver side (hereinafter simply referred to as “right side when viewed from the driver side”). A plan view is shown. Further, FIG. 1 shows an enlarged side view showing the hood push-up position holding state of the pop-up mechanism portion arranged on the right side when viewed from the driver side as viewed from the engine room side. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing an operation when a collision load is input from the state shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view (sectional view taken along line 5-5) showing the state shown in FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner.

  As shown in these figures, the vehicular pop-up hood apparatus 10 includes a pair of left and right pop-up mechanism portions 14 disposed on both sides of the rear end side of the hood 12 that opens and closes the engine room. Yes. Since the left and right pop-up mechanism sections 14 have the same configuration, in the following description, the configuration of the pop-up mechanism section 14 disposed on the right side as viewed from the driver side will be described, and disposed on the left side as viewed from the driver side. A description of the configuration of the pop-up mechanism 14 is omitted.

  The pop-up mechanism unit 14 is moved in the axial direction to the upper side of the hood when the hood hinge 16 that supports the hood 12 so as to be opened and closed, the actuator 18 that operates when the pedestrian or other collision object collides, and the actuator 18 that operates. And the rod 20 to be configured. Hereinafter, each component will be described in this order.

  <Configuration of Hood Hinge 16>

  The hood hinge 16 is provided on the cowl top side 22 which is a vehicle body side component provided on both sides of the cowl extending along the vehicle width direction between the rear end side of the hood 12 and the lower end portion of the windshield glass. A hinge base 26 fixed to the upper surface portion 22A with a mounting bolt 36, which will be described later, and a hinge pin (rotation center axis) 28 connected to the hinge base 26 so as to be rotatable relative to each other. It is comprised by the hinge arm 30 as a hood side attachment member which connects 34 A of parts.

  The hood 12 includes a hood outer panel 32 that is disposed outside the vehicle and forms a design surface, and a hood inner panel 34 that is disposed on the engine room side and reinforces the hood outer panel 32. Both are connected by the hemming of the terminal portion. Further, the rear end side of the hood inner panel 34 bulges toward the hood lower side, whereby a rear end bulge portion 34 </ b> A is formed on the rear end side of the hood 12. Further, the hood hinge 16 is essentially a hinge part for supporting the hood 12 on the body so as to be opened and closed. In the present embodiment, the hood hinge 16 is also a constituent element of the vehicle pop-up hood device 10.

  The configuration of each part will be described more specifically. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge base 26 is formed in a substantially L shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction. A narrow plate-shaped attachment portion 26A and a support portion 26B that is bent from the end of the attachment portion 26A on the vehicle width direction inside to the vehicle upper side and is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view. The attachment portion 26 </ b> A is fixed to the upper surface portion 22 </ b> A of the cowl top side 22 by an attachment bolt 36.

  On the other hand, the hinge arm 30 is a long member extending along the vehicle front-rear direction, and is formed in a substantially L shape (a shape of “he” in the upside down direction) in a side view. Structurally, the hinge arm 30 is bent toward the center in the hood width direction from the side wall 30A disposed in parallel to the support 26B of the hinge base 26 and the upper edge of the side wall 30A. And a top wall portion 30B that is formed in parallel to the rear end bulge portion 34A of the hood 12 and has a general cross-sectional shape that is L-shaped upside down. ing. Among these, the front lower surface (the range indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1) of the top wall portion 30B is pushed up by the distal end portion (pressing portion 54) of the rod 20 described later, and the distal end portion (pressing portion 54) slides. The pushing-up surface (sliding surface) 38 is used. In practice, however, the surface on the front side of the hood relative to the position (position shown in FIG. 1) where the rod 20 described later moves in the axial direction toward the upper side of the hood and the pressing portion 54 at the tip thereof abuts is used as a sliding surface. Is not used.

  Further, the inner edge of the front end portion of the top wall portion 30B is bent to the lower side of the hood to form a pair of flanges parallel to the side wall portion 30A (hereinafter, this portion is referred to as “additional side wall portion 30C” (FIG. 5)). The hinge arm 30 has a U-shaped cross-section at a portion where the additional side wall portion 30C is formed. The pair of side wall portions 30 </ b> A and the additional side wall portion 30 </ b> C are both provided to reinforce the hinge arm 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 30A of the hood hinge 16 has a rear portion 30A1 disposed adjacent to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the support portion 26B of the hinge base 26, and a center in the hood width direction with respect to the rear portion 30A1. The front portion 30A2 is arranged offset to the side and extends to the front side of the hood, and the intermediate portion 30A3 that obliquely connects the rear portion 30A1 and the front portion 30A2. The top wall portion 30B of the hood hinge 16 is configured in the same manner, and before being overlapped in contact with the rear portion 30B1 disposed on the support portion 26B side of the hinge base 26 and the lower surface of the rear end bulge portion 34A of the hood 12. A portion 30B2 and an intermediate portion 30B3 that obliquely connects the rear portion 30B1 and the front portion 30B2 are provided.

  The rear end portion of the side wall portion 30 </ b> A of the hinge arm 30 is hinged to the upper end portion of the support portion 26 </ b> B of the hinge base 26 by a hinge pin 28. Accordingly, the hinge arm 30 is rotatable in the vehicle vertical direction with the hinge pin 28 as the rotation center. Note that an opening restricting stopper 40 bent in a bowl shape protrudes in the radial direction at the rear end portion of the side wall portion 30A, and correspondingly to the upper end portion of the support portion 26B of the hinge base 26. Are integrally formed with a restriction portion 42 for restricting the opening degree that interferes with the stopper 40 and restricts further rotation of the hinge arm 30.

  Further, the front portion 30B2 of the top wall portion 30B of the hinge arm 30 extends substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction along the lower surface of the rear end bulge portion 34A of the hood 12, and is a hinge bolt that is a fastener at two points in the front-rear direction. 44 and a weld nut (not shown) are fastened (fixed) to the rear end bulge portion 34A of the hood 12. The bolt fastening direction of the hinge bolt 44 is the vertical direction of the hood, and when assembling, the hinge bolt 44 is screwed into a weld nut (not shown) from the lower side of the hood. Accordingly, in a state after the fastening of the hinge bolt 44, the bolt head portion 44A of the hinge bolt 44 is arranged in a state of protruding from the lower surface of the top wall portion 30B to the hood lower side (see FIG. 1).

  Furthermore, a cutout 46 that is rectangular in a side view is formed in the side wall 30A described above at a position facing the bolt head 44A of the hinge bolt 44 disposed on the rear side of the hood. The notch 46 is notched from the lower edge side to the upper edge side of the side wall portion 30A. In addition, the notch 46 is set so that it may cover the ridgeline which is a connection site | part of 30 A of side wall parts, and the top wall part 30B.

  When the hinge arm 30 configured as described above is functionally viewed, the rear portion 30A1 of the side wall portion 30A functions as a hinge side connecting portion, and the front portion 30B2 of the top wall portion 30B functions as a hood side connecting portion. The part having both functions can be said to be the hinge arm 30.

  <Configuration of Actuator 18>

  The actuator 18 is formed in a substantially columnar shape, and is disposed in the plan view in the front lower portion of the push-up surface 38 in the top wall portion 30B of the hinge arm 30 with the vehicle vertical direction as the axial direction. A bracket (not shown) is integrally provided on the actuator 18, and the bracket is fixed to the side surface portion 22 </ b> B of the cowl top side 22 with a bolt. Further, inside the housing 52 of the actuator 18, a gas generating means composed of a gas generating agent and an ignition device for generating gas by burning the gas generating agent are disposed. In addition to the type using the gas generating agent, it is also possible to use a type in which the high-pressure gas is enclosed in the housing 52 and the ignition device is operated to break the partition walls separating the high-pressure gas. is there.

  The ignition device for operating the actuator 18 is connected to an ECU (control means) (not shown) disposed below the console box. The ECU is connected to a collision detection sensor (collision detection means) that is disposed on a front bumper or the like and detects or predicts a collision with a collision object such as a pedestrian.

  <Configuration of rod 20>

  The rod 20 is accommodated coaxially in the housing 52 of the actuator 18. The rod 20 is a straight rod-like member, and a piston 53 (see FIG. 5) tightly accommodated in the housing 52 is provided at the lower end thereof. The gas generated in the housing 52 acts as a driving force for the piston 53. A pressing portion 54 having a larger diameter than the rod 20 is attached to the upper end portion of the rod 20. The pressing portion 54 is disposed so as to face the front end portion vicinity portion of the lifting surface 38 of the top wall portion 30B in the vertical direction. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressing portion 54 is disposed outside the push-up surface 38 in the hood width direction. In other words, the pressing portion 54 is disposed at a position shifted in the hood width direction with respect to the pair of front and rear hinge bolts 44 in a vehicle plan view (a position not overlapping), and between the pair of front and rear hinge bolts 44. (In the vicinity of the hinge bolt 44 on the front side of the hood). Such a positional relationship is due to the reason that the vehicle mounting space is limited due to the relationship with peripheral components.

  <Main part configuration of hinge arm 30>

  As shown in FIG. 5, among the side wall portions 30 </ b> A of the hinge arm 30 configured as described above, a side wall portion 30 </ b> A (hereinafter referred to as “front end side wall portion 30 </ b> A ′”) located on the front side of the hood with respect to the notch 46. The wall 30B is not bent at a right angle with respect to the front portion 30B2, but is bent so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle outward in the hood width direction (side away from the upper end portion 52A of the actuator 18). When the front end side wall portion 30A ′ is bent at a right angle, when viewed in plan view, the lower end portion thereof overlaps the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52 of the actuator 18 in the vehicle width direction ( It is set in a positional relationship. Incidentally, in this embodiment, when the front end side wall portion 30 </ b> A ′ corresponding to the flange of the present invention is viewed in a plan view, the root portion overlaps the upper end portion 52 </ b> A of the housing 52 in the vehicle width direction.

  (Operation and effect of this embodiment)

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  When the vehicle pop-up hood device 10 is in an inoperative state, the actuator 18 is in an inoperative state, so that the rod 20 is accommodated in the housing 52 of the actuator 18 (the lower surface of the pressing portion 54 is the housing 52 of the actuator 18). The state is in contact with the upper end 52A. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressing portion 54 at the distal end portion of the rod 20 is disposed to face directly below the front end side of the push-up surface 38 in the top wall portion 30 </ b> B of the hinge arm 30, and the hinge bolt It is located at a position shifted in the hood width direction with respect to 44 (see FIG. 2).

  From this state, when a frontal collision with a colliding body such as a pedestrian occurs, it is detected that a frontal collision has occurred with the colliding body by a collision detection unit (not shown), and a collision signal is output to an ECU (not shown). Based on the input collision signal, the ECU determines whether or not the vehicle pop-up hood device 10 should be operated. When the ECU determines that the vehicle pop-up hood device 10 should be operated, an operation signal is output to the actuator 18. The As a result, an ignition device (not shown) in the actuator 18 is ignited, and the gas generating agent is combusted to generate a predetermined amount of gas in the housing 52. In the case where the actuator 18 is of a high-pressure gas-filled type, a predetermined amount of gas is generated in the housing 52 when the ignition device is operated and the partition wall is broken. When a pre-crash sensor is installed, the above operation is performed when a frontal collision is predicted.

  The gas generated as described above acts on the piston 53 tightly accommodated in the housing 52, and presses the piston 53 toward the front end side in the axial direction of the housing 52 (that is, above the hood). Since the lower end portion of the rod 20 is connected to the piston 53, when the piston 53 moves up in the housing 52, the rod 20 moves in the axial direction toward the upper side of the hood. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressing portion 54 at the tip of the rod 20 abuts against the push-up surface 38 of the hinge arm 30, and the hinge arm 30 is rotated around the hinge pin 28 in the clockwise direction in FIG. , The rear end side (rear end bulge portion 34A) of the hood 12 is pushed upward. At this time, since the rigidity of the part where the notch 46 is formed is lower on the front part 30A2 side of the side wall part 30A of the hinge arm 30 than the other part, the hinge arm 30 is bent starting from the notch 46. Note that the rotation stroke of the hinge arm 30 is regulated by the stopper 40 formed at the rear end of the side wall portion 30A coming into contact with the regulating portion 42 of the hinge base 26, so that the hinge arm 30 has a predetermined amount or more. Does not rotate. That is, the pop-up amount (lift-up amount) on the rear end side of the hood 12 is determined in advance.

  In the state where the hood 12 is held in the pushed-up position shown in FIG. 1, when a collision load of a predetermined value or more acts on the vicinity of the pushed-up position of the hood 12 by the rod 20, as shown in FIG. The pressing portion 54 at the tip of the sliding portion is slid toward the vehicle rear side along the push-up surface 38 of the hinge arm 30. As the pressing portion 54 of the rod 20 slides on the push-up surface 38 of the hinge arm 30 toward the vehicle rear side, the rod 20 is bent and deformed (plastically deformed) from the root. By the bending deformation of the rod 20 at this time, the collision energy is absorbed, and the input load (reaction force) to the collision body is reduced. When the pressing portion 54 of the rod 20 slides on the push-up surface 38, the side wall portion 30A of the hinge arm 30 is deformed in the direction in which the notch 46 opens.

  Here, when the hood 12 is further lowered from the initial assembly position (the illustrated position of the hood outer panel 32 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. It is conceivable that the front end side wall portion 30A ′ of the hinge arm 30 of the hood hinge 16 interferes with the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52 of the actuator 18.

  However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the front end side wall 30 </ b> A ′ is shaped to open outward in the hood width direction, and therefore the front end side wall 30 </ b> A ′ is formed on the upper end 52 </ b> A of the housing 52 of the actuator 18. Even if it interferes at all, even if it interferes, it only needs to interfere with lightly (that is, even if it interferes, an abrupt bottom load is not generated). As a result, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the rod 20 is extended by the operation of the actuator 18 and the hood 12 is pushed up at the time of collision with the colliding body, the hood 12 is lowered to the initial assembly position or more and the hinge arm 30 is moved. It is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of a bottomed load due to a part (front end side wall portion 30A ′) interfering with the upper end portion 52A of the actuator 18. Incidentally, when the base portion of the front end side wall portion 30A ′ interferes with the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52, the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52 slides relatively along the wall surface (inclined surface) of the base portion, The side wall portion 30A ′ is further deformed in the opening direction to further absorb energy and reduce the bottom load.

  In addition, since the front end side wall 30A 'located at a position where there is a possibility of interference is inclined outward in the hood width direction, the number of parts does not increase and the number of processing steps does not increase. As a result, there are advantages that the structure is not complicated, the weight is increased, and the cost is not increased.

  <Variation 1 of the first embodiment>

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape of the front end portion of the hinge arm 70 is a U-shape, and the front end side wall portion 70A ′ of the side wall portion 70A is bent and suspended perpendicularly to the top wall portion 70B. . On the other hand, a chamfered portion 72 for avoiding interference is formed at the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52 of the actuator 18 at a portion where the front end side wall portion 70A 'interferes. Even in the above configuration, when the hood 12 is lowered, the front end side wall 70A ′ of the hinge arm 70 does not interfere with the upper end 52A of the actuator 18, or even if it interferes, the front end side wall 70A ′ is chamfered. It slides on the part 72 and escapes to the hood width direction outer side. Therefore, this configuration can provide the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

  <Variation 2 of the first embodiment>

  The example shown in FIG. 7 is characterized in that the front end side wall portion 74A 'of the side wall portion 74A of the hinge arm 74 is expanded outward in the hood width direction in a bottom view. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the curved front end side wall portion 74 </ b> A ′ from interfering with the upper end portion 52 </ b> A of the housing 52 of the actuator 18. Therefore, this configuration can provide the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

  [Second Embodiment]

  Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, the entire structure of the hinge arm 80 is the same as that shown in FIG. Accordingly, the front end side wall 80A 'of the side wall 80A of the hinge arm 80 is bent and suspended perpendicularly to the top wall 80B.

  A notch 82 as a deformation promoting means and a weakened portion is formed in the intermediate portion in the height direction of the front end side wall portion 80A '. Accordingly, the front end side wall portion 80A 'has a reduced rigidity at the notch 82 forming portion.

  (Action / Effect)

  According to the above configuration, when the hood 12 descends and the lower end portion of the front end side wall portion 80A ′ interferes with the upper end portion 52A of the actuator 18, the front end side wall portion 80A ′ starts from the notch 82 by the reaction force. It bends into a letter (is easily deformed). Thereby, the reaction force at the time of interference is absorbed. Therefore, a sudden bottom load is not generated. As a result, also in the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, in the configuration in which the rod 20 is extended by the operation of the actuator 18 to push up the hood 12 at the time of collision with the collision body, the hood 12 is lowered and hinged. When the front end side wall portion 80A ′ of the arm 80 interferes with the upper end portion 52A of the actuator 18, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a bottomed load due to the interference.

  In addition, since the notch 82 is provided in the front end side wall 80A ', the number of parts does not increase. Therefore, the structure is not complicated and the weight is not increased.

  In this embodiment, the notch 82 is set as the fragile portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slit-like hole or notch, a thin-walled portion, a bead that easily breaks against a load in the hood vertical direction, or the like may be used. Good.

  In the present embodiment, the notch 82 is set in the front end side wall 80A ′. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fragile portion may be provided on the upper end 52A side of the housing 52 of the actuator 18, or the front end side wall 80A ′. And a weak portion may be provided on both the upper end portion 52A of the housing 52.

  [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment]

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the hood hinge 16 is fixed to the cowl top side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the hood hinge may be fixed to a vehicle body side component such as an apron upper member.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the rod 20 pushes up the rear end side of the hood 12. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any configuration may be used as long as the rod pushes up the hood rear side. That is, the “hood rear portion side” in the present invention refers to a portion located on the vehicle rear side with respect to the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the hood. Preferably, a portion from the rear end of the hood to about ３ of the total length of the hood is pushed up with a rod. Note that the hood fold bead may be set in the hood front / rear direction middle part, except for the hood front / rear middle part. When this part is pushed upward, the hood breaks and deforms. This is because the rear end side of the hood does not rise.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the rod 20 is bent and plastically deformed as the hood 12 is lowered. However, the energy absorbing mechanism is not limited to this, and the rod is placed in the actuator. The present invention may be applied to what is contracted (slided) or buckled.

It is a side view which expands and shows the hood pushing-up position holding state of the pop-up mechanism part arrange | positioned at the right side seeing from the driver side in the vehicle pop-up hood apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which expands and shows the normal state of the pop-up mechanism part arrange | positioned at the right side seeing from the driver side. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the pop-up hood apparatus for vehicles shown by FIG. It is an enlarged side view which shows the action | operation when a collision load is input from the state shown by FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view (sectional view taken along line 5-5) showing the state shown in FIG. It is a principal part expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 which shows the structure of the variation 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a bottom view of the hinge arm which shows the structure of the variation 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is a principal part expanded vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 which shows the principal part of the pop-up hood apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pop-up hood apparatus for vehicles 12 Hood 16 Hood hinge 18 Actuator 20 Rod 22 Cowl top side (vehicle body side)
30 Hinge arm (hood side mounting member)
30A 'front end side wall (flange, load control / prevention means with bottom, interference avoidance structure)
34A Rear end bulge (hood rear side)
38 Push-up surface 52A Upper end (upper end of housing)
54 Pressing part (rod tip)
70 Hinge arm (hood side mounting member)
70A 'Front end side wall (flange)
72 Chamfer (bottom load suppression / prevention means, interference avoidance structure)
74 Hinge arm (hood side mounting member)
74A 'front end side wall (flange, load control / prevention means with bottom, interference avoidance structure)
80 Hinge arm (hood side mounting member)
80A 'Front end side wall (flange)
82 Notches (Load control / prevention means with bottom, deformation promotion means, weak part)

Claims (5)

The rear part of the hood is supported to be openable and closable on the vehicle body side via the hood hinge, while the actuator mounted on the vehicle is operated so that the rod extends to the upper side of the hood and pushes the rear part of the hood upward to the upper side of the hood. A vehicle pop-up hood device that holds a hood in a pushed-up position,
On the side of the hood side mounting member in the hood hinge, a flange that protrudes to the hood lower side is formed for reinforcement of the hood side mounting member,
In the state where the hood is pushed up, when the impact load of a predetermined value or more from the upper side of the hood acts on the vicinity of the pushed-up portion of the hood by the rod and the hood is lowered beyond the initial assembly position of the hood, the flange is A bottomed load suppressing / preventing means for suppressing or preventing the generation of a bottomed load due to interference with the upper end of the actuator housing;
The pop-up hood apparatus for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned. At least a part of the flange is arranged so as to overlap in the vehicle width direction with respect to the upper end of the housing of the actuator in plan view.
Furthermore, the bottomed load suppression / prevention means is an interference avoidance structure that avoids interference between the flange and the upper end of the housing when the hood is lowered to a position higher than the initial assembly position of the hood.
The vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to claim 1. At least a part of the flange is arranged so as to overlap in the vehicle width direction with respect to the upper end of the housing of the actuator in plan view.
Further, the bottomed load suppression / prevention means is configured to prevent at least the flange and the upper end of the housing when the hood is lowered to a position higher than the initial assembly position of the hood and the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing. It is a change promotion means that deforms one side,
The vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to claim 1. The interference avoidance structure is a structure in which the flange is inclined or shifted from the upper end of the housing toward the side away from the upper end of the housing in the hood width direction with reference to the upper end of the housing of the actuator.
The vehicle pop-up hood apparatus according to claim 2. The deformation promoting means is a fragile portion that is provided on the flange and deforms the flange when the flange interferes with the upper end of the housing.
The pop-up hood device for vehicles according to claim 3 characterized by things.

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