WO2007062390A9

WO2007062390A9 - Hood release handle

Info

Publication number: WO2007062390A9
Application number: PCT/US2006/061199
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allen Irish; Derek Hrabovsky
Original assignee: L & P Property Management Co; Allen Irish; Derek Hrabovsky
Priority date: 2005-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: WO2007062390A1

Abstract

A hood release cable assembly for use with a knee bolster (120) and adapted to actuate a hood latch mechanism (112) is disclosed. The hood release cable assembly includes a handle assembly (12), a linkage rod (18), and a cable assembly (22). The handle assembly (12) is attached to the knee bolster (120) and includes a handle (14) and a handle mount (16). The linkage rod (18) is connected to the handle (14). One end (32) of the cable assembly (12) is connected to the linkage rod (18), and the other end (30) is connected to the latch mechanism (112). Movement of the handle (14) engages the cable assembly (22) for operation of the latch mechanism (112).

Description

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to US Application No. 60/739518, filed on November 23, 2006, and US Application No. 60/740140, filed on November 28, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to mechanisms for actuation of a hood release latch, and more particularly to a hood release handle assembly mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle. RELATED ART

[0003] Typically, a hood is installed on a vehicle to open and close an engine room where an engine and other parts are installed. The hood is locked and unlocked by a hood latch mechanism. A striker is mounted to the hood, and the latch mechanism is mounted to a body of the vehicle. When the hood is closed, the striker is captured by the latch mechanism for securing the hood in place. Generally, a hood release lever is mounted in the interior of the vehicle and connected to the latch mechanism. Operation of the hood release lever at least partially disengages the latch mechanism.

[0004] The hood release lever usually comprises a single-unit having a handle assembly and a cable assembly. Thus, the handle assembly and cable assembly are typically provided by a single manufacturer and installed in the vehicle in unit form. [0005] Because the hood release lever is supplied as a single unit, several problems exist. First, because vehicles are of different sizes and require different cable assemblies, multiple hood release levers are required. Second, because vehicle interiors are often available in a plurality of colors, different color matching hood release levers are also required. Third, because the hood release lever is sourced as a single unit, it is difficult for vehicle manufacturers to obtain competitive bids for each subassembly.

[0006] There remains a need in the art for a hood release lever that is modular such that the handle assembly and the cable assembly can be installed independently of one another. There further remains a need in the art for a modular hood release lever that can be mounted to a knee bolster. Finally, there remains a need in the art for a hood release lever that is more compact and less expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the above problems, the invention is a hood release cable assembly. The hood release cable assembly is used to operate a hood latch mechanism. In a conventional fashion, a striker is mounted to a vehicle hood, and the hood latch mechanism is mounted to the vehicle body. The hood release cable assembly includes a handle assembly and a cable assembly. The handle assembly is mounted to an interior portion of the vehicle, such as the vehicle knee bolster. The cable assembly is connected to the latch mechanism and the handle assembly. Operation of the handle assembly engages the cable assembly to release the latch mechanism. {0008] In one aspect of the invention, the hood release cable assembly can be assembled to a knee bolster subsequent to knee bolster installation in a vehicle. In other words, the knee bolster is installed in the vehicle and subsequently the hood release cable assembly is attached to the knee bolster.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the hood release cable assembly is modular such that the handle assembly and the cable assembly can be installed independently of one another.

[00010] Thus, in furtherance of the above goals and advantages, the present invention is, briefly, a hood release cable assembly for use with a knee bolster and adapted to actuate a hood latch mechanism. The hood release cable assembly includes a handle assembly, a linkage rod, and a cable assembly. The handle assembly is attached to the knee bolster and includes a handle and a handle mount. The linkage rod is connected to the handle and is slideably engaged with the handle mount. The cable assembly has a cable wire and a sleeve. The cable wire has a first end connected to the hood latch mechanism and a second end with a wire end fitting attached thereto. The wire end fitting is connected to the linkage rod, and the sleeve is connected to the handle mount. When the handle is engaged, the handle moves the linkage rod. The linkage rod in turn moves the cable wire. The cable wire applies a force to release the latch mechanism.

[00011] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00012] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 100013] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle;

[00014] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of an interior of the vehicle;

[00015] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a hood release cable assembly;

[00016] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the hood release cable assembly;

{00017] Figure 5 is a sectional side perspective view of the hood release cable assembly;

[00018] Figure 6 is a perspective top view of the hood release cable assembly;

[00019] Figure 7 is a perspective top view of a handle mount;

[00020] Figure 8 is a perspective rear view of the handle mount;

[00021] Figure 9 is a perspective top view of a handle;

[00022] Figure 10 is a perspective bottom view of the handle;

[00023] Figure 11 is a perspective front view of a linkage τod;

[00024] Figure 12 is a perspective top view of a linkage rod; and

[00025] Figure 13 is a partial perspective top view of a cable assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00026] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[00027] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 has a hood 110 with a latch mechanism 112 and a striker 122. In Figure 1, the hood 110 is depicted in an open position. The striker 122 engages the latch mechanism 112 to lock the hood 110 when the hood is in a closed position. A cable assembly 22 is connected to the latch mechanism 112. The cable assembly 22 has a first end 30 and a second end 32. In the depicted embodiment, the latch mechanism 112 is connected to the cable assembly 22 at the first end 30. A handle assembly 12 is connected to the cable assembly 22 at its second end 32. A user operates the handle assembly 12 to move a portion of the cable assembly 22 such that the latch mechanism 112 releases the striker 122. Thereafter, the user can move the hood 1 10 from the closed to the open position.

[00028] Figure 2 illustrates a partial view of an interior of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a seat 114 with a seat side 130, a dash panel 116, a steering wheel 118, a knee bolster 120, a kick panel 126, and a rocker panel 128. A knee bolster is a panel mounted to the lower portion of the dash panel and may or may not include a supplemental restraint system or other energy absorbing device. In the depicted embodiment, the handle assembly 12 is connected to the knee bolster 120. However, the handle assembly 12 may be mounted to other components or locations, such as the kick panel 126, the rocker panel 128, the seat 114. or the side 130 of the seat 1 14.

[00029] Figure 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the knee bolster 120.

A hood release cable assembly 10 is mounted to the knee bolster 120. The hood release cable assembly 10 includes the handle assembly 12 and the cable assembly 22. The handle assembly 12 includes a handle 14 and a handle mount 16. In the depicted embodiment, the handle 14 and handle mount 16 are made of plastic but other materials may be used. The handle mount 16 is connected to the knee bolster 120. In the depicted embodiment, the handle mount 16 has a snap-fit with the knee bolster 120. The handle 14 is pivotally mounted to the handle mount 16. [00030] A linkage rod 18 is connected to the handle 14. In the depicted embodiment, the linkage rod is connected to the handle 14 through the use of a pin 36, which may be made from metal or plastic. The handle mount 16 includes a housing portion 20. The housing portion 20 receives the linkage rod 18 such that the linkage rod 18 is slideable within the housing portion 20. In the depicted embodiment, the linkage rod 18 is made from plastic hut other materials may be used. [00031] The cable assembly 22 is connected to the linkage rod 18. The cable assembly 22 includes a cable wire 24 and a sleeve 26. The wire 24 travels within the sleeve 26. In the depicted embodiment, the cable assembly 22 includes a coupling 38 connected to the sleeve 26, and the coupling 38 is connected to the housing portion 20. The cable wire assembly 22 includes a wire end fitting (a bullet-type termination) 28 which terminates wire 24 at its second end 32. The wire end fitting (a bullet-type termination) 28 is removably connected to the linkage rod 18. Specifically, linkage rod 18 is adapted so that wire end fitting 28 may slide into a space within linkage rod

18, with a gap to permit travel of wire 24. The cable wire assembly 22 includes a connector 34 at its first end 30. The connector 34 is used to connect the cable wire assembly 22 to the latch mechanism 1 12. The connector 34 may be any number of known conventional connectors such as lugs, screw fittings, and push-on clamps as examples.

[00032] Figure 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the knee bolster 120. In the depicted embodiment, the knee bolster 120 includes openings 124. The openings

124 receive push tabs 40 of the handle mount 16. The push tabs 40 are used to secure the handle mount 40 to the knee bolster 120.

[00033] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional perspective side view of the knee bolster

120. As best seen in Figure 5, the linkage rod 18 includes a keeper 42. The keeper 42 receives and captures the wire end fitting 28. Additionally, an end portion 62 of the linkage rod 18 receives the coupling 38.

[00034] Figure 6 is an un-mounted view of the hood release cable assembly 10.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the handle 14 is pivotally mounted to the handle mount

16, and the linkage rod 18 is connected to the handle 14. The cable assembly 22 is removably connected to the housing portion 20 and to the linkage rod 18.

[00035] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the handle mount 16. The handle mount 16 includes a release tab 44 and journals 46. The release tab 44 is used to mount and demount the handle mount 16. The journals 46 are cylindrical members adapted to provide a mounting point for the handle 14. The housing portion 20 includes an interior portion 48. The interior portion 48 is dimensioned to receive the linkage rod 18. In the depicted embodiment, the interior portion 48 is cylindrical or half-moon shaped but other shapes may be used. The housing portion 20 includes the end portion 62, which includes a cutout 64. The cutout 64 is adapted to receive the coupling 38.

[00036] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the handle 14. The handle 14 includes apertures 50 and flanges 52. The apertures 50 are dimensioned to mate with the journals 46 of the handle mount 16. The handle 14 also includes the linkage rod mount 54. The linkage rod mount 54 includes through holes 56. The through holes

56 are dimensioned to receive the pin 36.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the linkage rod 18. The linkage rod 18 includes the keeper 42, a slot 58, and a pin bore 60. The keeper 42 receives the wire end fitting

28. in the depicted embodiment, the keeper 42 is half-moon shaped but other shapes may be used so long as the shape corresponds with the shape of the wire end fitting

28. The slot 58 provides a passage for the cable wire 24. The pin bore 60 is dimensioned to receive pin 36.

[00037] Figure 13 is a partial front perspective view of the cable assembly 22.

The wire end fitting 28 is cylindrical in the embodiment depicted in figure 13; however, other shapes maybe used. Additionally, the coupling 38 includes a flange

66 and a groove 68. The flange 66 and the groove 68 aid in connecting the coupling

38 to the housing portion 20. The groove 68 fits within the cutout 64, and the flange

66 fits within the interior portion 48.

[00038] In operation, a user applies a force on the handle 14. The handle 14 moves the linkage rod 18, and the linkage rod 18 transfers the force to the cable wire 24. The cable wire 24 slides within the sleeve 26. The cable wire 24 applies the force to the latch mechanism 112 via the connector 34 such that the latch mechanism 112 releases the striker 122.

[00039] A method of attaching the hood release cable assembly 10 to the vehicle 100 is also disclosed. In a first step, the knee bolster 120 is mounted to the vehicle 100. In a second step, the handle assembly 12 is mounted to the knee bolster 120. hi a third step, the cable assembly is connected to the handle assembly 12 and to the latch mechanism 112.

[00040] As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hood release cable assembly adapted to actuate a hood latch mechanism, the hood release cable assembly comprising: a handle assembly, said handle assembly including a handle and a handle mount; a linkage rod connected Io said handle and slidably engaged with said handle mount; and a cable assembly having a cable wire and a sleeve, said cable wire having a first end operatively connected to the hood latch mechanism and a second end terminated by a wire end fitting, said wire end fitting being connected to said linkage rod, and said sleeve being connected to said handle mount, wherein movement of said handle in one direction causes said linkage rod to travel linearly to pull said cable wire thereby operating the hood latch mechanism.

2. A hood release cable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said handle is pivotally engaged with said handle mount.

3. A hood release cable assembly according to claim 1, wherein said handle mount prevents relative linear movement with said sleeve of said cable assembly.

4. A hood release cable assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising: a knee bolster connected to said handle assembly.

5. A hood release cable assembly according to claim 1, wherein said linkage rod further comprises a keeper and a slot, said wire end fitting being disposed in said keeper, and said wire being disposed in said slot.