Drive device for a vehicle flap

A drive device for a deployable vehicle flap, comprising

• a flap part assigned to a vehicle flap;
• a body part assigned to a vehicle body;
• a joint arrangement connecting the flap part and the body part in an articulated manner;
• a first actuator rotatably coupled to a coupling portion assigned to the joint arrangement for driving the flap part between a closed driving position and an open inspection position by operating the joint arrangement;
• a second actuator is rotatably coupled to said coupling portion for lifting the flap part from said closed driving position to a pedestrian protection position,
• wherein the coupling portion comprises a first lever and a second lever,
• wherein said first lever is rotatably coupled to the first actuator,
• wherein said second lever is rotatably coupled to the second actuator,
• wherein the first lever and the second lever are connected to each other via a releasable mechanical retaining element, the releasable mechanical retaining element preventing the first lever to rotate with respect to the second lever, and
• wherein the second actuator is configured to break the releasable mechanical retaining element to allow the first lever to move with respect to the second lever upon expansion of the second actuator, such that an actuating force induced by the second actuator is decoupled from the first actuator.

A vehicle flap hinge arrangement, comprising

• a flap portion assigned to a flap of a vehicle;
• a body portion assigned to a body of the vehicle;
• a joint arrangement connecting the flap portion and the body portion in an articulated manner;
• a first actuator coupled to a coupling portion assigned to the joint arrangement for driving the flap portion between a closed driving position and an open inspection position by operating the joint arrangement;
• and
• a second actuator coupled to said coupling portion for lifting the flap portion from said closed driving position to a pedestrian protection position,
• wherein the coupling portion comprises a first lever and a second lever,
• wherein said first lever is rotatably coupled to a pivotable member of the joint arrangement,
• wherein said second lever is rotatably coupled to said pivotable member of the joint arrangement,
• wherein said first lever is rotatably coupled to a distal end of the first actuator,
• wherein said second lever is rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the second actuator,
• wherein the first lever and the second lever are connected to each other via a shear rivet, the shear rivet preventing the first lever to move with respect to the second lever, and
• wherein the second actuator is configured to break the shear rivet to allow the first lever to disengage with respect to the second lever upon expansion of the second actuator, such that an actuating force induced by the second actuator is decoupled from the first actuator.