Engine compartment hood latch structure for a motor vehicle

US7597384B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Mattias Wallman · Sollentuna, SE
• Gunnar Hallneus · Mölndal, SE
• Peter Blum · Palo Alto, US
• Anders Fredriksson · Malmö, SE
• Mats Erlingfors · Alingsås, SE
• Peter Lindmark · Onsala, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2009
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/343
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hood latch structure (1) for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel (2) and a hood (3) providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4). The grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4) supports at least one hood latch (5) carried by a mounting member (6) protruding towards the front of the vehicle. Mounting member (6) is designed to collapse downwards (Z) causing the hood latch (5) to move downwards (Z) when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads above a predetermined threshold load distributed thereupon by the overlying structure such that the hood latch (5) moves away to provide a forgiving upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.