Description:FRUNK LATCH WITH EMERGENCY OPENING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure generally relates to trunk/storage space provided in front of an automobile and more particularly, to a latch for enabling opening of a frunk in emergency. The frunk may be defined as storage space under the hood.

BACKGROUND
[002] Automobiles having rear mounted engines, and electrical vehicles typically have storage space under the hood, i.e., in front portion of the vehicle. The space under the hood is known as frunk. As a part of compliance, it is mandatory to provide an emergency release function inside the storage space so that hood can be unlatched from storage space in case a person locks up inside.
[003] The emergency latch is in addition to the normal release function of typical hood latch which is to release the hood latch from both vehicle cabinet. Existing designs have dedicated levers for emergency release system that are distinct and separate from the lever provided for release of the hood.
[004] Hence, there is a need in the art to design system having a single latch to open the hood in regular and emergency situations.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[005] The principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a common release lever, used for both emergency and vehicle cabinet release.

SUMMARY
[006] In an implementation of the present disclosure a hood latch assembly 100 is disclosed. The hood latch assembly 100 comprises a frame (2). Further a pawl (6) is mounted on the frame (2). The pawl (6) further comprises a first slot (6.1) and a second slot (6.2). Further the first slot (6.1) and the second slot (6.2) may be connected or engaged with a vehicle release cable (4) and an emergency release cable (5).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[008] Figure 1, illustrates a hood latch assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[009] Figure 2, illustrates an exploded view of a hood latch assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] Figure 3a illustrates an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0011] Figure 3b and 3c illustrates an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary system discloses a frunk latch with emergency opening.
Part List
- Striker (1)
- Frame Plate (2)
o First cable slot (2.1)
o Second cable slot (2.2)
o Mounting hole (2.3)
o Mounting hole (2.4)
o Mounting hole (2.5)
- Screw (3)
- Release Cable for Vehicle Cabinet (4)
- Release Cable for Emergency Release (5)
- Pawl (6)
o First Pawl (6.1)
o Second Pawl (6.1)
- Claw (7)
- Claw Rivet (8)
- Pawl Rivet (9)
- Pawl Spring (10)
- Popup Catch (11)
- Support Plate (12)
- Claw Spring (13)
[0013] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a hood latch assembly is disclosed. The hood latch assembly may comprise a pawl mounted on frame plate. The pawl may be provided with a first slots and a second slot. Further the first slots and the second slot are configured to accommodate cables one coming from vehicle cabinet and another from hood storage space. Further the frame plate is provided with cable fittings and claw. Further the claw and the pawl are mounted on frame plate using claw rivet and pawl rivet respectively. The frame plate may be mounted on the vehicle such that the frame may be positioned over the mounting holes.
[0014] Further a pawl spring may be configured to keep the pawl biased towards lock. A claw spring may be configured to pushes a striker upwards with the help of pop-up catch when released. Further the claw and pawl may be supported using support plate which is fastened to frame plate using screw. A release cable for vehicle cabinet and release cable for emergency release are provided for release of pawl.
[0015] Once the cable is fitted into the frame plate, both cables can be independently released. Release stroke required to release pawl from lock position in both cables will be similar as the location of cable release slot in pawl is having similar radial distance with respect to pawl rivet pivot axis. Once pawl is released from lock position, claw will be free for rotation and hood can be lifted.
[0016] Now Figure 1, illustrates a hood latch assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The hood latch assembly 100 as disclosed comprises a frame (1). Further a pawl (6) may be mounted on the frame (2), and the pawl (6) may be provided with a first slot (6.1) and a second slot (6.2). The pawl (6) may be configured to move in an open/release position, and locked/closed position. Further the first slot (6.1) and the second slot (6.2) may be connected or engaged with a vehicle release cable (4) and an emergency release cable (5).
[0017] The vehicle release cable (4) or the emergency release cable (5) may be pulled to release the hood by moving the pawl between open and close position.
[0018] Now referring to Figure 2, illustrates an exploded view of a hood latch assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The hood latch assembly 100, may comprise a frame (2). Further a pawl (6) may be mounted on the frame (2). The pawl (6) may be mounted on the frame (2) using a pawl rivet (9). Further the pawl (6) may be configured to rotate about an axis of the pawl rivet (9). The axis for the pawl rivet (9) may be defined as an imaginary axis perpendicular to top or circular face of the pawl rivet (9).
[0019] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment a claw (7) may positioned between the frame (2) and the pawl (6). The claw (7) may be mounted on the frame (2) using a claw rivet (8). Further the claw (7) may be configured to rotate about a rivet axis of the claw rivet (8). The claw (7) may be mechanically coupled with the pawl (6). The pawl (6) may further comprise a first slot (6.1) and a second slot (6.2). Further the first slot (6.1) and the second slot (6.2) of the pawl (6) may be engaged with a vehicle release cable (4) and an emergency release cable (5). Having the vehicle release cable (4) and the emergency release cable (5) mounted on the same pawl (6) eliminates the need of having separate dedicated lever for opening the frunk in emergency or in regular use.
[0020] The vehicle release cable (4) and the emergency release cable (5) connected to the pawl (6) are placed in slots provided on the frame (2). The hood latch assembly 100, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment may further comprise a popup catch (11) mounted on the claw rivet (8) and mechanically engaged with the pawl (6) and a striker (1). Further a support plate (12) may be provided to enclose the pawl (6), the popup catch (11), and the claw (7).
[0021] Further in accordance with the exemplary embodiment the hood latch assembly 100, may comprise a pawl spring (10) and a claw spring (13). The pawl spring (10) may be engaged with the pawl (6), and further biased to keep the pawl (6) in closed position. Further the claw spring (13) may push the striker (1) upwards with the help of pop-up catch (11) when released.
[0022] Figure 3a illustrates an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment the frame plate (2) is mounted on the vehicle using at least three mounting holes (2.3, 2.4 & 2.5).
[0023] Figure 3b and 3c illustrates an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. The pawl (6) is provided with at least two slots 6.1 & 6.2 to insert cables one coming from vehicle cabinet and another from hood storage space. Further in accordance with the exemplary embodiment a first cable slot (2.1), and a second cable slot (2.2) provided on the frame plate (2). Further the first cable slot (2.1) may be adjacent to the second cable slot (2.2). The first cable slot (2.1), and the second cable slot (2.2) may be configured to hold the vehicle release cable (4) and the emergency release cable (5).
, Claims:I/We claim:

1. A hood latch assembly 100 comprising:
a frame (2); and
a pawl (6) mounted on the frame (2), wherein the pawl (6) further comprises a first slot (6.1) and a second slot (6.2);
wherein the first slot (6.1) and the second slot (6.2) may be connected or engaged with a vehicle release cable (4) and an emergency release cable (5).
2. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pawl (6) is mounted on the frame (2) using a pawl rivet (9).
3. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a claw (7) positioned between the frame (2) and the pawl (6).
4. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the claw (7) is mounted on the frame (2) using a claw rivet (8).
5. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle release cable (4) and the emergency release cable (5) mounted on the same pawl (6) eliminates the need of having separate dedicated lever for opening the frunk in emergency or in regular use.
6. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprise a popup catch (11) mounted on the claw rivet (8) and mechanically engaged with the pawl (6) and a striker (1).
7. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a support plate (12) provided to enclose the pawl (6), the popup catch (11), and the claw (7).
8. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a pawl spring (10) engaged with the pawl (6), wherein the pawl spring (10) is biased to keep the pawl (6) in closed position.
9. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a claw spring (13) configured to push the striker (1) upwards with the help of pop-up catch (11) when released.
10. The hood latch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a first cable slot (2.1), and a second cable slot (2.2), further the first cable slot (2.1), and the second cable slot (2.2) are configured to hold the vehicle release cable (4) and the emergency release cable (5).