A hinge assembly for securing a flap to a vehicle body includes a first hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing to a vehicle body, a second hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing the flap to be mounted relative to the vehicle body, and a deployment securing device for locking the second hinge part relative to the first hinge part. The deployment securing device has a first securing part which is paired with the first hinge part, a second securing part which is paired with the second hinge part, and a locking element and is configured such that the locking element is coupled to the first securing part in the closed position and is locked by the second securing part in a first locking position. The second securing part unlocks the locking element in the course of the movement of the second securing part from the closed position into the open position and thereby releases the locking element. The deployment securing device is configured such that after the locking element is unlocked in the first locking position, the locking element is moved into a second locking position in which the locking element produces a coupling between the first securing part and a third securing part paired with the first hinge part and locks the first securing part and the third securing part in the open position.

A hinge assembly for securing a flap to a vehicle body includes a first hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing to a vehicle body, a second hinge part which can be moved between a closed position and an open position for securing the flap to be mounted relative to the vehicle body, and a deployment securing device for locking the second hinge part relative to the first hinge part. The deployment securing device has a first securing part which is paired with the first hinge part, a second securing part which is paired with the second hinge part, and a locking element and is configured such that the locking element is coupled to the first securing part in the closed position and is locked by the second securing part in a first locking position. The second securing part unlocks the locking element in the course of the movement of the second securing part from the closed position into the open position and thereby releases the locking element. The deployment securing device is configured such that after the locking element is unlocked in the first locking position, the locking element is moved into a second locking position in which the locking element produces a coupling between the first securing part and a third securing part paired with the first hinge part and locks the first securing part and the third securing part in the open position.

A hinge base member (5) and a hinge upper member (15) of a hinge (1) for an engine hood (3) are provided with main bodies (5, 17) each having a laterally facing major plane, and link members (9, 10) are connected between the main bodies of the hinge base member and the hinge upper member and overlies the main bodies of the hinge base member and the hinge upper member from a first lateral side. The hinge upper member is provided with an extension (17) fixedly attached to the side part of the hood and extending forward from the main body of the hinge upper member with an offset to a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side with respect to the main body of the hinge base member.

A hinge base member (5) and a hinge upper member (15) of a hinge (1) for an engine hood (3) are provided with main bodies (5, 17) each having a laterally facing major plane, and link members (9, 10) are connected between the main bodies of the hinge base member and the hinge upper member and overlies the main bodies of the hinge base member and the hinge upper member from a first lateral side. The hinge upper member is provided with an extension (17) fixedly attached to the side part of the hood and extending forward from the main body of the hinge upper member with an offset to a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side with respect to the main body of the hinge base member.

A pyrotechnic activated body panel lift actuator assembly for a vehicle having a unique deployment profile and energy absorbing feature is disclosed. The assembly has a pyrotechnic actuator, a thin-walled tube and a piston. The tapered portion of the piston forms a recess between the piston and the tube. One or more balls sized to fit in the recess are provided. Upon activation, the piston is thrust proximally outwardly to lift a portion of a body panel to absorb an impact of a person hit by the vehicle and thereafter the piston retracts under controlled substantially constant force generated by balls moving up the tapered portion of the shaft thereby locally plastically deforming the thin-walled tube.

A pyrotechnic activated body panel lift actuator assembly for a vehicle having a unique deployment profile and energy absorbing feature is disclosed. The assembly has a pyrotechnic actuator, a thin-walled tube and a piston. The tapered portion of the piston forms a recess between the piston and the tube. One or more balls sized to fit in the recess are provided. Upon activation, the piston is thrust proximally outwardly to lift a portion of a body panel to absorb an impact of a person hit by the vehicle and thereafter the piston retracts under controlled substantially constant force generated by balls moving up the tapered portion of the shaft thereby locally plastically deforming the thin-walled tube.

A collision prediction determination device of a subject vehicle includes: a surrounding area sensor (a camera/radar/lidar) configured to acquire surrounding area information which is information on an object present in a first monitor area including an area ahead of the subject vehicle in a traveling direction thereof; a proximity sensor (a sonar/pressure tube sensor) configured to acquire proximity information on proximity of the subject vehicle including information on a contact thereof with an object present in a second monitor area which is an area in a proximity of the subject vehicle; an interspace sensor (a sonar) configured to acquire interspace information which is information on an interspace between an in-vehicle component (a bulkhead/bumper beam) and a bumper member (a front bumper) disposed on the subject vehicle; and a collision prediction determination part configured to predict and determine a state of a collision of the subject vehicle with a vulnerable road user, including whether or not the collision has occurred, based on the surrounding area information, the interspace information, and the proximity information.

A collision prediction determination device of a subject vehicle includes: a surrounding area sensor (a camera/radar/lidar) configured to acquire surrounding area information which is information on an object present in a first monitor area including an area ahead of the subject vehicle in a traveling direction thereof; a proximity sensor (a sonar/pressure tube sensor) configured to acquire proximity information on proximity of the subject vehicle including information on a contact thereof with an object present in a second monitor area which is an area in a proximity of the subject vehicle; an interspace sensor (a sonar) configured to acquire interspace information which is information on an interspace between an in-vehicle component (a bulkhead/bumper beam) and a bumper member (a front bumper) disposed on the subject vehicle; and a collision prediction determination part configured to predict and determine a state of a collision of the subject vehicle with a vulnerable road user, including whether or not the collision has occurred, based on the surrounding area information, the interspace information, and the proximity information.

In order to improve the release movement of a closure bracket assembly for retaining or raising a pivotable front flap of a motor vehicle from a normal position into a protection position, a closure bracket having a closure bolt and a closure bracket upper part is provided. The closure bolt is secured in a lock in the normal position and in the protection position. A front flap securing device can be secured on the front flap. A pivot shaft is arranged on the front flap securing device and about which the front flap securing device is pivotally mounted for raising purposes. A closure bracket holder is provided on which the closure bracket is held. The pivot shaft is arranged on the closure bracket holder and the closure bolt can be pivoted in the lock during raising.

In order to improve the release movement of a closure bracket assembly for retaining or raising a pivotable front flap of a motor vehicle from a normal position into a protection position, a closure bracket having a closure bolt and a closure bracket upper part is provided. The closure bolt is secured in a lock in the normal position and in the protection position. A front flap securing device can be secured on the front flap. A pivot shaft is arranged on the front flap securing device and about which the front flap securing device is pivotally mounted for raising purposes. A closure bracket holder is provided on which the closure bracket is held. The pivot shaft is arranged on the closure bracket holder and the closure bolt can be pivoted in the lock during raising.