Latch assembly for a hood of a vehicle, a hood elevation system and a method for manufacturing a latch assembly

A hood elevation system for a vehicle, the hood elevation system comprising:

• a hood latch;
• a latch assembly slidably connected to the hood latch, the latch assembly comprising:
• a first plate comprising an elongated slot extending in a horizontal direction (H);
• a second plate;
• a first member being mechanically connected to the second plate, the first member extending in a vertical direction (V) through the elongated slot, slidably connecting the first plate to the second plate;
• and
• at least one deformable element, in a retracted position of the latch assembly, securing the first plate to the second plate in the horizontal direction (H);
• the at least one deformable element being arranged to deform upon impact in the horizontal direction (H) allowing the first plate to slide relative to the second plate in the horizontal direction (H) to an extended position;
• and
• an actuator configured to move the latch assembly relative to the hood latch upon a collision of the vehicle with a vulnerable road user;
• upon actuation of the actuator, the latch assembly linearly moves in its retracted position away from the hood latch;
• and
• the at least one deformable element of the latch assembly being arranged to deform upon the latch assembly reaching a stop position in which the latch assembly is prevented from further linear movement away from the hood latch, allowing the first plate to slide relative to a second plate of the latch assembly in the horizontal direction (H) to an extended position.

A method for manufacturing a latch assembly for a hood of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a first plate comprising an elongated slot extending in a horizontal direction (H);
• providing a second plate;
• mechanically connecting a first member to the second plate, the first member extending in a vertical direction (V) through the elongated slot;
• slidably connecting the first plate to the second plate;
• and
• providing at least one deformable element arranged to secure the first plate to the second plate in the horizontal direction (H), the at least one deformable element being arranged to deform upon impact in the horizontal direction (H).