A vehicle includes a frame member and a tow hook assembly coupled to the frame member. The tow hook assembly includes a tow hook positionable between a first position and a second position, and a locking mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to permit the tow hook to move into the second position. The vehicle further includes a contact sensor and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the tow hook assembly and the sensor, the electronic control unit configured to operate the locking mechanism into the unlocked position to permit the tow hook to be positioned into the second position upon the sensor detecting that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Provided herein is a tow hook assembly, and more specifically, a tow hook assembly that is employed to improve passenger safety of a vehicle particularly in an offset vehicle impact. A tow hook assembly may include a mounting plate configured to be attached to a structural member of a vehicle at a front end of the vehicle, the mounting plate comprising a first portion and a second portion; and a tow hook extending from the first portion of the mounting plate in a first direction away from the vehicle, where the second portion of the mounting plate extends laterally outboard from the first portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The tow hook, during a small overlap impact with an object, provides for a lateral push away from the object.

A tow hook system is provided. The tow hook system may comprise a bumper beam, a crush box, a fender apron, a front side member, and a tow hook. The tow hook may be coupled to the bumper beam. The crush box may be coupled to the bumper beam opposite the tow hook. The front side member and the fender apron may be coupled to the crush box opposite the bumper beam. The tow hook, the bumper beam, the crush box, the front side member, and the fender apron may be in longitudinal alignment.

A vehicle includes a frame member and a tow hook assembly coupled to the frame member. The tow hook assembly includes a tow hook positionable between a first position and a second position, and a locking mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to permit the tow hook to move into the second position. The vehicle further includes a contact sensor and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the tow hook assembly and the sensor, the electronic control unit configured to operate the locking mechanism into the unlocked position to permit the tow hook to be positioned into the second position upon the sensor detecting that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

A tow hook assembly including a housing including a front wall, a front aperture formed in the front wall, and a detent formed in the housing, the detent defining a curved surface portion, and a tow hook at least partially extending through the front aperture of the housing, the tow hook movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the tow hook including a biasing member received within a biasing channel formed in the tow hook and a bearing provided at an end of the biasing member, the biasing member biasing the bearing into the detent when the tow hook is in the extended position, the biasing member prohibiting movement of the tow hook from the extended position to the retracted position until a force exceeding a predetermined force threshold in a direction opposite a towing direction is applied against a front end of the tow hook.

A tow hook assembly including a housing including a front wall, a rear end opposite the front wall, a front aperture formed in the front wall, and a detent formed in an inner surface of the housing, a tow hook at least partially extending through the front aperture, the tow hook movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the tow hook including a biasing member received within a biasing channel formed in the tow hook and a bearing provided at an end of the biasing member, the biasing member biasing the bearing into the detent when the tow hook is in the extended position, the biasing member prohibiting movement of the tow hook from the extended position to the retracted position until a force exceeding a predetermined force threshold is applied against the tow hook, and a seal provided between the housing and the tow hook.

A tow hook assembly including a housing including a front wall and a rear end opposite the front wall, a front aperture formed in the front wall, a tow hook at least partially extending through the front aperture of the housing, the tow hook movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing, a groove formed in one of the housing and the tow hook, the groove including a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a rib formed on the other of the housing and the tow hook, the rib received within the groove, wherein, when the tow hook is in the extended position, the rib abuts against the front end of the groove, wherein, when the tow hook is in the retracted position, the rib abuts against the rear end of the groove.