# US 11,110,975 B2 · Active hood vent system and method of adjusting aero balance of a motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,975 B2 - Document ID: US11110975B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/655,562 - Filed: 2019-10-17 - Published: 2020-02-13 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-14 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus; Andrew Thomas Cunningham; Michael Stephen Sylvester - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110975B2 ## CPC - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - B62D 25/12: Parts or details thereof (locks E05B, {E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042}; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; {checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; } springs, {e.g. pneumatic springs} F16F) - B60Y 2300/022: Stability in turns or during cornering - B60Y 2400/304: Acceleration sensors - B60Y 2400/40: Actuators for moving a controlled member - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a hood vent including a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position; and a control module configured to (a) adjust aero balance of said motor vehicle by opening and closing said closure and (b) close said closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of said motor vehicle when applied brake pressure exceeds a predetermined brake pressure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The active hood vent system of claim 1, wherein said control module includes a controller and an actuator, said actuator opening and closing said closure in response to said controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of said motor vehicle when motor vehicle deceleration exceeds a predetermined deceleration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current motor vehicle cornering force exceeds a predetermined cornering force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current steering wheel angle exceeds a predetermined steering wheel angle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current wheel yaw position exceeds a predetermined wheel yaw position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current motor vehicle lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined lateral acceleration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close the closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of the motor vehicle when a current motor vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close the closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of the motor vehicle when current motor vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC fresh air inlet of said motor vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure when a current operating temperature of said motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed. ### Claim 12 An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a hood vent including a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position; and a control module configured to (a) adjust aero balance of said motor vehicle by opening and closing said closure and (b) open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current steering wheel angle exceeds a predetermined steering wheel angle.