DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to hood structure for a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, to a hood hinge assembly providing additional crush space between a hood and under hood components.

BACKGROUND
[002] In modern automotive design, it is desirable for visibility, aerodynamic and styling reasons that a hood line be kept as low as possible. As a result, there is generally very little clearance between the hood and an engine bay content of the automotive vehicle. Typically, vehicle hoods are deformable when a downward force is exerted thereto. However, the deformability of the hood and, correspondingly, the hood's ability to absorb energy may be impeded by the proximity of the hood to rigidly mounted components housed in the vehicle's engine (or forward) compartment. As a result, the hood is unable to yield enough to provide significant cushioning when a pedestrian strikes the hood during an accident.
[003] One type of pedestrian/vehicle accident that is particularly harmful occurs when the vehicle's frontal portion impacts the pedestrian's knee, leg, and/or abdominal region. This frontal impact potentially harms the pedestrian's knee, leg, and/or abdominal region. Additionally, this frontal impact may also elevate and/or flip the pedestrian such that the pedestrian's head strikes the vehicle's hood or windshield. This impact may be fatal if the head suffers trauma. Pedestrian safety performance can be improved by increasing the clearance between the hood and the vehicle components beneath the hood.
[004] One of the conventional hood assemblies disclose a hood hinge mounting reinforcement which is welded to the inside of the hood inner panel. More draw depth required in the hood inner panel to meet the pedestrian safety causes difficulty in manufacturing of the assembly since there are likely chances of thinning and crack effect. Also, the assembly has less crushable space. Another conventional assembly discloses a hood hinge structure which connects a hinge lower to a body and a hinge upper to a hood at a hinge axial center to absorb the shock sufficiently. Another conventional assembly employs hinge brackets and hinge bearings to increase the crumple space of the hood hinge region, and thus helps to reduce pedestrian head injuries.
[005] Another conventional assembly discloses a hood hinge where the pedestrian is protected by a four-link kinematic pair mechanism, which creates cushion effect to the pedestrian during impact. The aforementioned conventional assemblies employ too many linkages or brackets for increasing the crushable space. Thus, increasing the complexity and cost of the hood assembly.
[006] Therefore, there exists a need for a hood assembly which is simple and has more crushable space. Further, there exists a need for a hood assembly which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[007] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian.
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a hood assembly which has more crushable space.
[009] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a hood assembly which is simple and cost effective.
[0010] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a hood assembly which requires minimal change in the hinge mounting mechanism.
[0011] Still another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian.
[0012] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts prior art, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a graphical representation showing acceleration vs time curve of the hood assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart of a method of forming a hood assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a hood assembly which has more crushable space. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method of forming a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts prior art, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The hood hinge assembly according to the prior art includes a hood outer panel, a hood inner panel and a reinforcement bracket. In an embodiment, the hood hinge reinforcement bracket is welded to the hood inner panel from an inner surface of the hood inner panel. Since the reinforcement bracket is attached to the hood inner panel from the inner surface, the under-hood components are at very close proximity to the hood outer panel where the pedestrian likely to hit. In an embodiment, the hood assembly includes a hood hinge hard point defined inside an engine compartment. In the prior art, the hood hinge hard point (not shown) is close to the hood outer panel.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a hood assembly 100 adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the hood assembly 100 includes a hood outer panel 102, a hood inner panel 104 and at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106. The hood assembly 100 substantially reduces the probability of substantial pedestrian head injury in an impact event against the hood by providing a hood design that allows for sufficient deformation between the hood and under hood components, while maintaining sufficient hood strength and stiffness. In an embodiment, the hood assembly further includes at least one hood hinge hard point (not shown) defined inside an engine compartment (not shown).
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the hood outer panel 102 constitutes a vehicle body outer side surface of the hood assembly 100. Further, the hood inner panel 104 provided on the inner side (i.e., on the rear surface side) of the hood outer panel 102 constitutes a vehicle body inner side portion of the hood assembly 100. In one embodiment, the hood outer panel 102 and the hood inner panel 104 are made of a sheet material, such as a metal sheet material, including but not limited to an aluminum alloy.
[0023] In an embodiment, the hood outer panel 102 includes an outer surface 102a and an inner surface 102b opposite to the outer surface 102a. Further, in an embodiment, the hood inner panel 104 includes an outer surface 104a and an inner surface 104b opposite to the outer surface 104a as shown in FIG. 2.
[0024] In an embodiment, the hood assembly 100 includes the at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 mounted below the hood inner panel 104. The hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is made of rigid material. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of material to fabricate the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0025] In an embodiment, the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is designed to have a unique profile to improve deformable space. In an embodiment, the at least one reinforcement bracket 106 is configured to have an asymmetric wave profile. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the asymmetric wave profile is formed at a position facing towards the hood hinge hard point (not shown) inside the engine compartment (not shown).
[0026] In an embodiment, the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is attached to the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104. In an embodiment, the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is attached to the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104 by welding. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type connecting means between the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104 and the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 without otherwise deterring the intended function of attaching as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Further, in an embodiment, the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 includes at least one aperture (not shown) to connect with engine components at the hood hinge hard point (not shown).
[0027] In an embodiment, the hood assembly 100 includes a plastic deformable region R (not shown) defined between the inner surface 102b of the hood outer panel 102 and the hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106. In an embodiment, the deformable region R includes a predetermined crash length L. In an embodiment, the crash length L ranges between 60mm to 75mm. In an embodiment, the hood outer panel 102 and the hood inner panel 104 are configured to deform at a predetermined crush load l when imparted on the hood assembly 100.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a graphical representation showing acceleration vs time curve of the hood assembly 100, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the acceleration (g) is arranged on the Y-axis, and wherein time in seconds (s) is arranged along the X-axis. Curve 300 initially peaks at relatively high load, i.e., point A. Subsequent acceleration occurs with a secondary peak occurring at point B of the curve 300, followed by gradual attenuation. Such acceleration patterns are produced, for example, when the hood assembly dents or deforms quickly and absorbs a substantial portion of an impact energy resulting from the collision. The number of head injury criteria (HIC #) is determined by calculating the collision process in accordance with a predetermined formula.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart of a method of forming a hood assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 200 includes providing a hood outer panel configured to be an outer sheet of the hood assembly (step 202). Further, the method includes, providing a hood inner panel configured to be an inner sheet of the hood assembly, and joined to the hood outer panel (step 204). Furthermore, the method includes, mounting at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket below the hood inner panel (step 206).
[0030] The technical advantages offered by the embodiments disclosed herein are pedestrian safety, Easy to access and assembly, increased crushable space between the hood outer panel 102 and hood hinge hard point, high durable design, no change in internal parts such as hood hinge, front side structure, plenum applique, etc.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

REFERRAL NUMERAL
Hood assembly 100
Hood outer panel 102
Outer surface of hood outer panel 102a
Inner surface of hood outer panel 102b
Hood inner panel 104
Outer surface of hood inner panel 104a
Inner surface of hood inner panel 104b
Crash length L
Crash load l
Plastic deformation region R
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An automotive hood assembly 100 adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, said hood assembly 100 comprising:
a hood outer panel 102 configuring an outer sheet of the hood assembly 100;
a hood inner panel 104 configuring an inner sheet of the hood assembly 100, and joined to the hood outer panel 102; and
at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 mounted below the hood inner panel 104;
wherein
the hood outer panel 102 includes an outer surface 102a and an inner surface 102b;
the hood inner panel 104 includes an outer surface 104a and an inner surface 104b; and
the at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is attached to the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104.

2. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hood assembly 100 includes a plastic deformable region R having a predetermined crash length L.
3. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 includes at least one aperture.

4. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hood assembly 100 includes at least one hood hinge hard point defined inside an engine compartment.

5. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement bracket 106 is configured to have an asymmetric wave profile.

6. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the crash length L ranges between 60mm to 75mm.

7. A hood assembly for use with a vehicle, said hood assembly comprising:
a hood outer panel 102 configuring an outer sheet of the hood assembly 100;
a hood inner panel 104 configuring an inner sheet of the hood assembly 100, and joined to the hood outer panel 102; and
at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 mounted below the hood inner panel 104;
wherein
the hood outer panel 102 includes an outer surface 102a and an inner surface 102b;
the hood inner panel 104 includes an outer surface 104a and an inner surface 104b; and
the at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is welded to the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104.

8. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the asymmetric wave profile is formed at a position facing towards the hood hinge hard point inside the engine compartment.

9. The hood assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hood outer panel 102 and the hood inner panel 104 are configured to deform at a predetermined crush load l imparted on the hood assembly 100.

10. A method 200 of forming a hood assembly adapted to act as a safety device in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, said method 200 comprising steps of:
providing a hood outer panel 102 configured to be an outer sheet of the hood assembly 100;
providing a hood inner panel 104 configured to be an inner sheet of the hood assembly 100, and joined to the hood outer panel 102; and
mounting at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 below the hood inner panel 104;
wherein
the hood outer panel 102 includes an outer surface 102a and an inner surface 102b;
the hood inner panel 104 includes an outer surface 104a and an inner surface 104b; and
the at least one hood hinge reinforcement bracket 106 is attached to the outer surface 104a of the hood inner panel 104.