FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle construction and more particularly, relates to a reinforced hood structure.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] It is common practice to provide a closure panel such as a hood for closing a vehicle engine compartment and provides access to engine compartment on opening the hood. The hood is relatively installed via a hinge structure to the front portion of the vehicle body to support the hood for opening and closing. When the 10 hood is repeatedly opened and closed about the hinge, a load tends to act on localized areas of the hinge structure to such an extent as to cause the hood hinge area, i.e., hinge region of inner panel and hood hinge reinforcement, to be undesirably deformed. Further, the conventional solution does not provide sufficient resistance to prevent bending and deformation. Therefore, the design of 15 hood hinge area requires satisfying the structural durability performance.
[003] European patent publication EP2305540B1 provides - inner hood panel (30) includes: a through-hole (34) elongated in a vehicle width direction; a distal end section (35) formed between the through-hole and an opening/closing distal end portion (30f); and a flange (37) provided along the through-hole for being 20 joined to the reverse surface (20a) of a hood skin (20). The distal end section (35) includes: a first flat surface section (35a) extending from the distal end portion (30f) toward the flange; a slanting surface section (35b) extending from the first flat surface section (35a) toward the flange while slanting toward the reverse surface (20a); a second flat surface section (35c) extending from the slanting 25 surface section toward the flange; and a connecting section (35d) extending from the second flat surface section to the flange. Height (H1) from the first flat surface section to the reverse surface is greater than a height (H2) from the second flat surface section to the reverse surface.
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[004] However, the European prior art does not describe any reinforcement structure proximal to the hood hinge mounting area, thereby not providing sufficient resistance to prevent bending and deformation. Further, the assembly, shape, operation and location of the parts mentioned in the prior art are not similar to the inventive reinforcing concept explained in the present disclosure. 5
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[005] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a reinforced hood structure for a vehicle.
[006] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, cost 10 effective, and efficiently designed hood structure that is distinct from all conventional designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The present invention relates to a hood structure for a vehicle. The hood 15 structure includes an outer panel; an inner panel configured with the outer panel to define a rear end, a front end, and side ends of the hood structure, wherein a relative distance between the inner panel and the outer panel at the side ends of the hood structure near hinge mounting area gradually increases from the rear end, attains a maximum about an intermediate portion, and gradually decreases 20 towards the front end to define a bell-shaped profile; and a plurality of hinge mounting portions provided proximally to the rear end of the inner panel, the plurality of hinge mounting portions defining a stepped profile extending proximally from the rear end towards the front end with a reducing height.
[008] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of 25 the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally 5 effective embodiments. 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 figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with 10 embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0010] Figs. 1a-1b illustrate different views of hood structure for a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] Figs. 2a-2b provides perspective views of a portion of the hood structure 15 of Figs. 1a-1b; and
[0012] Figs. 3a-3b provides sectional views of the hood structure of Figs. 2a-2b along multiple planes.
[0013] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from 20 the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0014] The present disclosure presents embodiments for a hood structure for a 25 vehicle. The hood structure includes an outer panel; an inner panel configured with the outer panel to define a rear end, a front end, and side ends of the hood structure, wherein a relative distance between the inner panel and the outer panel at the side ends (110) of the hood structure near hinge mounting area gradually
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increases from the rear end, attains a maximum about an intermediate portion, and gradually decreases towards the front end to define a bell-shaped profile; and a plurality of hinge mounting portions provided proximally to the rear end of the inner panel, the plurality of hinge mounting portions defining a stepped profile extending proximally from the rear end towards the front end with a reducing 5 height.
[0015] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the 10 same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to 15 aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, 20 together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0016] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be 25 noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
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[0017] Figs. 1a-1b illustrate different views of hood structure (100) for a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hood structure (100) is connected to vehicle body through hinges (90). The hood structure (100) includes an outer panel (102) an inner panel (104) configured with the outer panel (102) to define a rear end (106), a front end (108), 5 and side ends (110) of the hood structure (100). The hood structure (100) further includes a plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) provided proximally to the rear end (106) of the inner panel (104). In an example, the hinges (90) are configured to be secured to the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114). In an example, the hinges (90) may be welded to the plurality of hinge mounting 10 portions (114).
[0018] Figs. 2a-2b provide perspective views of a portion of the hood structure (100). As shown, a relative distance between the inner panel (104) and the outer panel (102) at the side ends (110) of the hood structure (100) near hinge mounting area gradually increases from the rear end (106), attains a maximum about an 15 intermediate portion (112), and gradually decreases towards the front end (108) to define a bell-shaped profile. In an embodiment, the bell-shaped profile strengthens the hood structure (100) as secured with the hinges (90) along longitudinal direction of the hood structure (100). Further, the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) defines a stepped profile extending proximally from the rear end 20 (106) towards the front end (108) with a reducing height.
[0019] Figs. 3a-3b provides sectional views of the hood structure (100) of Figs. 2a-2b along multiple planes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. As shown, sectional views across the bell-shaped profile of the hood structure (100) and the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) includes a double hat section. In an embodiment, the 25 double hat section includes a primary hat section associated with the bell-shaped profile, and a secondary hat section associated with the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114). In an example, the double hat section strengthens the hood structure (100) along lateral direction.
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[0020] As shown, the primary hat section is provided in lateral direction to stiffen the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114). The primary hat section, starts from the Section ①-① (Refer Fig.3A), increases gradually, attains a maximum till Section ③-③, and then gradually decreases towards the front end (108) of the hood structure (100.) Further, the secondary hat section starts from the Section 5 ⑤-⑤ (Refer Fig.3B), is maximum at Section ⑤-⑤, and decreases gradually and ends at an upper portion of the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) (Section ⑦-⑦).
[0021] Referring back to Figs. 2a-2b, the hood structure (100) further includes a plurality of emboss points (116) proximally to the plurality of hinge mounting 10 portions (114). In an embodiment, the emboss points (116) are provided around spot welds configured to secure the inner panel (104) with the hood hinge reinforcement (not shown) to provide additional strengthening and reinforcement to the hood structure (100).
[0022] The hood structure (100) as disclosed with respect to the present invention 15 provides an improved structure of hood hinge mounting area without increase in the thickness of the components and can readily be manufactured without a substantial increase in manufacturing cost. Further high deflection/deformation of engine hood hinge mounting area is also reduced.
[0023] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described 20 in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is 25 intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A hood structure (100) for a vehicle, the hood structure (100) comprising:
an outer panel (102);
an inner panel (104) configured with the outer panel (102) to define a rear end (106), a front end (108), and side ends (110) of the hood structure (100), wherein a relative distance between the inner panel (104) and the outer panel (102) at the side ends (110) of the hood structure (100) near hinge mounting area gradually increases from the rear end (106), attains a maximum about an intermediate portion (112), and gradually decreases towards the front end (108) to define a bell-shaped profile; and
a plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) provided proximally to the rear end (106) of the inner panel (104), the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) defining a stepped profile extending proximally from the rear end (106) towards the front end (108) with a reducing height.
2. The hood structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sectional view 15 across the bell-shaped profile of the hood structure (100) and the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114) includes a double hat section.
3. The hood structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the double hat section includes a primary hat section associated with the bell-shaped profile, and a secondary hat section associated with the plurality of hinge 20 mounting portions (114).
4. The hood structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of emboss points (116) are provided proximally to the plurality of hinge mounting portions (114).
5. The hood structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bell-shaped 25 profile is along longitudinal direction of the hood structure (100).
6. The hood structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the double hat section is along lateral direction of the hood structure (100).