Claims:We claim:

1. A magnetic hood pop-up assist system for vehicles, the system comprises:

• a hood assembly;

• at least one pair of electromagnets, one each disposed on either side of the hood front edge and assembled on the front top cross-member of the Body-In-White (BIW);

• at least one pair of permanent magnets, one each disposed on either side of the hood inner panel;

• a pair of dampeners disposed on either side under the hood; and

• a hood unlatching or releasing mechanism;

wherein the respective electromagnet and permanent magnet on either side are disposed with their like poles facing each other in the closed position of the hood in order to generate repulsive force to assist in the pop-up of the hood.

2. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hood assembly vertically moves through pop-up height from primary lock position to secondary lock position and on reaching the secondary lock position, the hood is unlatched/released by operating the hood releasing mechanism to provide the user access to the secondary lever of hood latch for complete hood opening for different activities, like maintenance, cleaning and replacement.

3. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hood releasing mechanism comprises:

a) a first switch;

b) a second switch;

c) a control unit or controller;

wherein the control unit activates or deactivates the electromagnets depending on the active state of the first and second switch respectively.
4. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first switch is disposed inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle for operation by the user.

5. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hood is in closed state when both switches are switched off condition or in a closed state.

6. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hood release mechanism is operated to open the hood primary latch by switching on the first switch only.

7. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hood is completely opened by operating the secondary latch by switching on both switches or by keeping both switches in open state to deactivate the electromagnets and resetting the first switch to the switched off state thereof.

8. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first switch is configured slidable on a hood release cable, the first switch comprises the following components:

• a substantially cylindrical case slidable on the hood release cable and provided with a metallic strip at the front edge thereof;

• a compression spring disposed inside the case and slidable on the hood release cable along with the case;

• a profiled terminal with a split front end thereof and slidable on the hood release cable;

• a cylindrical plunger slidable on the hood release cable and having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the profiled terminal split front end; and

• a spherical ball fixed on the hood release cable for operating the first switch;

wherein the first switch is operated by pulling the sphere fixed on the hood release cable to change the relative position of the different components of the first switch.
9. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electromagnets are activated by pulling the sphere fixed on the hood release cable and by making contact of the metallic strip with the terminal to complete the electrical circuit for assisting in popping-up operation of the hood.

10. Hood pop-up assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electromagnets are deactivated releasing the sphere fixed on the hood release cable to break or disrupt the electrical circuit for facilitating the closure of the vehicle hood by its own weight.

Dated this day of 28th June 2017. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT , Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for maintaining the vehicle hood or bonnet in a pop-up condition. In particular the, the invention relates to a device for supporting the vehicle hood or bonnet to be maintained in an open condition on releasing vehicle hood latch. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for generating external force to prevent vehicle hood from falling by its own weight after operating the release latch to achieve a targeted pop-up height.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the present day automotive manufacturing and sales scenario, more and more emphasis is being placed on the styling of the vehicles to impart an aggressive look. This styling approach has resulted in adding more muscle power and structural strength.

However, this aggressive structural styling also adds more weight to the front end of the vehicle, including the hood / bonnet for making it stronger and which becomes substantially heavier.

The problem with a heavier hood is the need to provide more effort for achieving a proper hood pop-up height. If this pop-up height is not sufficient, it cannot provide an easy access to the hood latch secondary lever, which may result in customer dissatisfaction with the hood-pop-up mechanism.

The presently available bonnet pop-up systems use a coil spring to assist the hood pop-up. This spring is either integrated in the latch or is used as a separate part and remains in a compressed state when the bonnet is in closed condition. The energy is stored in this spring due to the compression.

On releasing the hood by the hood releasing mechanism, this stored energy of the spring is utilized to assist pop-up of the bonnet. Often, this coil spring supported hood pop-up height is not sufficient enough for the user to access the hood latch lever to lock it in an open condition.
DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

The disadvantages with the existing hood pop-up mechanism for opening the bonnet of the vehicles are briefly discussed in the following:

• Pop-up mechanism is heavier in the aggressively styled vehicles.
• Insufficient pop-up effort to keep the heavy bonnet in open condition for the user to access the secondary latch lever to keep it in raised condition.
• Coil-spring for bonnet pop-up is not strong enough to support pop-up.
• Over time, the coil-spring deforms or lose its compression characteristics to store energy for bonnet pop-up assist and requires early replacement.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle bonnet pop-up assist system for raising the hood to a height safe for the user to access latch lever.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle bonnet pop-up assist system which requires less maintenance or replacement of components thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide the vehicle bonnet pop-up assist system flexible and configurable for various vehicle segments.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the vehicle bonnet pop-up assist system adjustable for different hood weights by simple adjustment.

A further object of the present invention is to make the vehicle bonnet pop-up assist system more energy efficient by incorporating an automatic reset system.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the idea underlying the present invention is to utilize the basic characteristics of magnets, i.e. the “opposites poles attract and like poles repel”.

The present invention harnesses the repulsive power of the electromagnets and utilizes this property to support the weight of the hood in order to provide a proper pop-up height. This term is used to define the phenomenon of shifting of hood assembly from its primary lock position to secondary lock position when hood is unlatched by operating the hood unlatching/release mechanism. Thereby, providing access for the secondary lever of hood latch to the operator. This vertical self-travel of hood assembly from primary to secondary lock position is known as pop-up and the distance travelled is called pop-up height.

The present invention aims at incorporating a system that assists this phenomenon of hood pop up. This novel Hood Pop-Up system provides access to the hood latch secondary lever, which when operated allows the complete opening of hood to allow access to the engine compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a magnetic hood pop-up assist system for vehicles, the system comprises:

• a hood assembly;
• at least one pair of electromagnets, one each disposed on either side of the hood front edge and assembled on the front top cross-member of the Body-In-White (BIW);
• at least one pair of permanent magnets, one each disposed on either side of the hood inner panel;
• a pair of dampeners disposed on either side under the hood; and
• a hood unlatching or releasing mechanism;

wherein the respective electromagnet and permanent magnet on either side are disposed with their like poles facing each other in the closed position of the hood in order to generate repulsive force to assist in the pop-up of the hood.
Typically, the hood assembly vertically moves through the pop-up height from primary lock position to secondary lock position and on reaching the secondary lock position, the hood is unlatched/released by operating the hood releasing mechanism to provide the user access to the secondary lever of hood latch for complete hood opening for different activities, like maintenance, cleaning and replacement.

Typically, the hood releasing mechanism comprises:
a) a first switch;
b) a second switch;
c) a control unit or controller;
wherein the control unit activates or deactivates the electromagnets depending on the active state of the first and second switch respectively.

Typically, the first switch is disposed inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle for operation by the user.

Typically, the hood is in closed state when both switches are switched off condition or in a closed state.

Typically, the hood release mechanism is operated to open the hood primary latch by switching on the first switch only.

Typically, the hood is completely opened by operating the secondary latch by switching on both switches or by keeping both switches in open state to deactivate the electromagnets and resetting the first switch to the switched off state thereof.

Typically, the first switch is configured slidable on a hood release cable, the first switch comprises the following components:
• a substantially cylindrical case slidable on the hood release cable and provided with a metallic strip at the front edge thereof;
• a compression spring disposed inside the case and slidable on the hood release cable along with the case;
• a profiled terminal with a split front end thereof and slidable on the hood release cable;
• a cylindrical plunger slidable on the hood release cable and having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the profiled terminal split front end; and
• a spherical ball fixed on the hood release cable for operating the first switch;
wherein the first switch is operated by pulling the sphere fixed on the hood release cable to change the relative position of the different components of the first switch.

Typically, the electromagnets are activated by pulling the sphere fixed on the hood release cable and by making contact of the metallic strip with the terminal to complete the electrical circuit for assisting in popping-up operation of the hood.

Typically, the electromagnets are deactivated releasing the sphere fixed on the hood release cable to break or disrupt the electrical circuit for facilitating the closure of the vehicle hood by its own weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1a shows a perspective actual view of the conventional vehicle hood pop-up mechanism including a coil spring fitted under an open hood.

Figure 1b shows a side view of the conventional vehicle hood pop-up mechanism.

Figure 2a shows a perspective front view of the vehicle hood in a closed state disposed on the vehicle front grill.

Figure 2b shows a schematic arrangement of the vehicle hood pop-up mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention, depicted in a closed state of the hood.

Figure 3a shows a perspective front view of the vehicle hood of Fig. 2a, depicted in a slightly open state to provide an access to the user to the hook-latch secondary lever from above the vehicle front grill.

Figure 3b shows a schematic arrangement of the vehicle hood pop-up mechanism in a pop-up state of the hood.

Figure 3c shows an enlarged view of the vehicle hood pop-up height, which is equal to the vertical travel of the hood striker by operating the hood release mechanism.

Figure 4a shows a schematic arrangement of the hood pop-up assist system configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4b shows a flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for retaining the hood in a closed state.

Figure 4c shows a flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for operating the hood release mechanism for opening the primary latch thereof.

Figure 4d shows another flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for completely operating the vehicle hood by operating the secondary hood latch.

Figure 5a shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a hood pop-up assist system configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5b shows a detailed enlarged view of the hood pop-up assist system of Fig.5a indicating different components thereof fitted at the front of the vehicle.

Figure 5c shows an inner view of the vehicle hood indicating the locations of the permanent magnets of the hood pop-up assist system of Fig.5a-5b.

Figure 5d shows an enlarged view of the first switch to be incorporated with the hood release cable of the hood pop-up assist system of Figure 5b.

Figure 5e shows another enlarged view of the first switch indicating the force F in pulling direction of release cable with its connection to the first switch.

Figure 6a shows an exploded view of the first switch of Fig. 5d indicating various component thereof.
Figure 6b shows an enlarged perspective view of the case depicted in Fig. 6a.

Figure 6c shows a cross-sectional view of case 3 assembly depicted in Fig.6b.

Figure 7a shows the assembly of the second switch S2 depicted in Fig. 5a-5b.

Figure 7b shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the second switch depicted in Fig. 7a.

DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, the hood pop-up assist system configured in accordance with the present invention configured in accordance with the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1a shows a perspective actual view of the conventional vehicle hood pop-up mechanism 10 including a coil spring 12 fitted under an open hood 20.

Figure 1b shows a side view of the conventional vehicle hood pop-up mechanism 10 comprising a coil spring, fixed on a stem 14 through a bracket 16 by means of a fastening arrangement 18 under the vehicle hood/bonnet 20.

Figure 2a shows a perspective front view of the vehicle hood 120 in a closed state disposed on the vehicle front grill 122.

Figure 2b shows a schematic arrangement of the vehicle hood pop-up mechanism 100 configured in accordance with the present invention, depicted in a closed state of the hood. Here, a primary latch 110 of the hood pop-up mechanism 100 with the hood striker 112 is depicted in primary locked condition. The secondary latch 130 of the hood pop-up mechanism 100 is also seen here.

Figure 3a shows a perspective front view of the vehicle hood 120 configured in accordance with the present invention, depicted in a slightly open state to provide an access to the user to the hook-latch secondary lever 130 from above the vehicle front grill 122.
Figure 3b shows a schematic arrangement of the vehicle hood pop-up mechanism 100 in a pop-up state of the hood, A force A is exerted here by the hood latch mechanism 100 on hood 120 during pop-up. The hood striker 112 is depicted pushed/moved upwards (arrow ?) to a secondary locked condition.

Figure 3c shows an enlarged view of the vehicle hood pop-up height H, which is equal to the vertical travel of the hood striker 112 from lower position 112a of primary locking in the closed state to upper position 112b of secondary locking in the open state thereof by operating the hood release mechanism. Whereby, the complete opening of the hood is made possible to access the engine compartment of the vehicle for the cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the components. A good pop-up height H is important for user’s access to the hood-latch secondary lever. An insufficient pop-up height H causes a discomfort of the user and dissatisfaction with the bonnet release mechanism.

Figure 4a shows a schematic arrangement of the hood pop-up assist system configured in accordance with the present invention. It consists of at least two pairs of magnets. Each pair consists of a permanent magnet P1 or P2 and electromagnet E1 or E2 each. The mounting arrangement of the magnets is such that the permanent magnets P1, P2 are fixed on the inner panel of the hood 120 and the electromagnets E1, E2 are assembled on the front top cross member of the BIW, respectively. Further, in this arrangement, the like poles N-N or S-S of both magnets of the pair (P1, E1; P2, E2) face each other when the hood is in a closed condition (Fig. 2a). So, these like poles of magnets (P1, E1; P2, E2) facing each other generate the opposing forces to assist in the pop-up of the hood 120 on unlatching the hood 120 by operating the hood unlatching or release mechanism 100. Since the electromagnets E1, E2 are assembled on the cross member which is a fixed member, the overall repelling force C of the magnets (P1, E1; P2, E2) generates a force A acting upward ? on the hood 120 and thereby actively assists in the popping up of the vehicle hood or bonnet 120. A pair of conventional dampeners D1, D2 is also provided, one dampener on either side within the front top cross member of the BIW. These dampeners D1, D2 exert force B on hood 120 (aiding in popping up the hood 120) due to their compressed state in the closed condition of hood 120. Here, it should be obvious that the electromagnets E1, E2 are not constantly retained in active state, so that they do not consume power continuously from the vehicle and are activated only when the user Intends to open the hood 120 by releasing the primary latch L (110). For achieving this, a switch S1 (Fig.5a) is provided within the passenger compartment 140 of the vehicle to activate electromagnets E1, E2, once the hood release mechanism 100 is operated by the user. Similarly, the electromagnets E1, E2 should not be retained in active state throughout the duration of the hood’s open state and is deactivated as soon as the user lifts the hood 100. For this purpose, another switch S2 is provided to deactivate the electromagnet once the hood 120 is lifted by the user. A control unit 140 is also necessary for operating the electromagnets E1, E2 based on the inputs available from these switches S1, S2.

Figure 4b shows a flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for retaining the hood in a closed state. Here, the signal of both switches S1 and S2 in switched off condition is relayed to the control unit 140, which deactivates the electromagnets E1 and E2 and due to weight W of the vehicle hood 120, it remains in closed state.

Figure 4c shows a flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for operating the hood release mechanism 100 for opening the primary latch 110 thereof. Here, the switch S1 is switched on, while the switch S2 is switched off. So, the control unit 140 activates the electromagnets E1 and E2 to open the primary latch 110.

Figure 4d shows another flow diagram of the system of Figure 4a for completely operating the vehicle hood by operating the secondary hood latch. Once the primary latch 110 is opened, the signal of both switches S1 and S2 being switched on is relayed to the control unit 140 for deactivating the electromagnets E1 and E2 again and to reset switch S1 to bring it back to switched off condition. Now, the secondary latch 130 can be accessed by the user to raise the hood 120 completely. Accordingly,
W = Weight of hood 120 acting downwards.
A = Force exerted by hood latch mechanism 100 on hood 120 during pop-up.
B = Force exerted by dampeners D1, D2 on hood 120 due to their compressed state in the closed condition of hood 120.
C = Repulsive Force exerted by the electromagnets. The resultant is directed upwards, since position of the lower magnet is fixed. This force C is the extra force that is provided to assist hood Pop-Up.
Figure 5a shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a hood pop-up assist system 100 configured in accordance with the present invention. The system 100 includes a first switch S1 inside the passenger cabin PC and a second switch S2 under the bonnet 120 and pairs of electromagnets and permanent magnets E1, P1 and E2, P2 located as discussed above.

Figure 5b shows a detailed enlarged view of the hood pop-up assist system 100 of Fig.5a indicating different components thereof fitted at the front of the vehicle. It includes a hood latch L, a hood release system 100 with an integrated switch S1 located inside the passenger compartment PC and a second switch S2. The locations of the electromagnets E1 and E2 above the grill 122 is also marked here.

Figure 5c shows an inner view of the vehicle hood 120 indicating the locations of the permanent magnets P1, P2 of hood pop-up assist system 100 of Fig.5a-5b.

Figure 5d shows an enlarged view of the first switch S1 to be incorporated with the hood release cable 124 of the hood pop-up assist system 100 of Figure 5b. This hood release cable 124 can be released by a force F to pull the flap 126 in the pulling direction PD for operating the hood latch L (not visible here).

Figure 5e shows another enlarged view of the first switch S1 indicating the force F in pulling direction PD of release cable 124 with its connection to switch S1.

Figure 6a shows an exploded view of the first switch S1 of Fig. 5d indicating various component thereof. It includes a metallic sphere 1, a terminal 2, a case 3, a plunger 4, a compression spring 5 and a metallic strip 6. The overall switch assembly S1 slides on the cable 124, as it is operated, the metallic sphere 1 forces the plunger 4 to move in the cable by applying a force F in pulling direction PD. As plunger 4 moves, the terminal 2 mounted on the plunger 4 also moves. Thus, the plunger 4 and terminal 2 move towards and into the case 3. The case 3 consists of a compression spring 5 and a metallic strip 6.

Figure 6b shows an enlarged perspective view of the case depicted in Fig. 6a. It consists of a compression spring 5 disposed within the case 3 assembly and a metallic strip 6 fitted inside the case at one end thereof.
Figure 6c shows a cross-sectional view of the case 3 assembly depicted in Fig.6b. The terminal 2 contacts the metallic strip 6 and completes the electrical circuit and a signal is issued to the control unit 140 for activating the electromagnets E1, E2. The compression spring 5 allows the plunger 4 and the terminal 2 therewith to return to their original position, when the force F operating the release cable 124 is removed.

Figure 7a shows the assembly of the second switch S2 depicted in Fig. 5a-5b. It includes a plunger 222, a metallic strip 224, a coil spring 226 and a terminal 228. As shown in Fig. 5b, switch S2 is located at the front of the vehicle. When the hood 120 is in closed position thereof due to its own weight W acting in a downward direction DD, its plunger 222 is compressed which is also SWITCHED-OFF condition thereof for disconnecting the electrical circuit. However, on opening the hood 120, the plunger is pushed up by the compressed spring 226 and the circuit is completed.

Figure 7b shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the second switch S2 depicted in Fig. 7a. When the terminal 228 touches the metallic strip or plate 224, a signal is issued to the control unit 140 to reset the system and to switch off the electrical magnets E1, E2. Unlike switch S1, in which the electrical circuit is completed when switch S1 is compressed to keep it in a SWITCHED-OFF condition thereof.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The electromagnets E1, E2 are arranged near the front edge of the hood 120. The permanent magnets P1, P2 are mounted on the inner panel of the hood 120, while the electromagnets E1, E2 are suitably mounted on the vehicle such that in the closed condition of the hood 120, the permanent magnets P1, P2 rest directly over the electromagnets E1, E2. Thus, a sufficient repulsive force C for pop up of the hood. It should be noted that although, the present embodiment includes two pairs of electromagnets E1, E2 and permanent magnets P1, P2; more than two pairs of magnets E1, E2 and P1, P2 can also be incorporated, depending upon the requirement of the vehicle manufacturer.

Another alternative embodiment could be configured by detecting the angle of opening of the hood 120 by installing a sensor to detect this angle. When the hood 120 is opened more than this specified angle, it can trigger the control unit 140 to reset the hood pop-up assist system 100.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The vehicle hood pop-up assist system configured in accordance with the present invention has the following technical and economic advantages:

• Facilitates vehicle bonnet pop-up by assisting in raising hood to a safe height for the user to access latch lever.

• Requires less maintenance or replacement of components.

• Adjustable for various vehicle segments.

• Adjustable for different hood weights.

• More energy efficient due to incorporation of automatic reset system.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration.

Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

Also, any reference herein to the terms ‘left’ or ‘right, ‘up’ or ‘down, or ‘top’ or ‘bottom’ are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel.

Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures.