Over center sprung hood hinge for use with active pedestrian protection system

A hinge mechanism, comprising:

• a first hinge element and a second hinge element, the hinge elements positioned in relationship to one another;
• a closed position and an open position, wherein at least a portion of the first hinge element and at least a portion of the second hinge element separate from one another when the hinge mechanism is urged from the closed position to the open position;
• a common pivot point, the first hinge element and the second hinge element rotating about the common pivot point when the hinge mechanism is urged into the open position;
• a biasing mechanism that exerts a biasing force, including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion acting on the first hinge element and the second portion acting on the second hinge element;
• a first biasing position where the biasing force is exerted at the first and second straps for retaining the hinge mechanism in the closed position;
• and
• a second biasing position the hinge mechanism is in the open position;
• wherein a line of action of the biasing force is rotated about at least the second portion and though the common pivot point as the hinge mechanism is urged from the closed position into the open position;
• wherein the biasing force is exerted at the first hinge element and the second hinge element in the second biasing position for retaining the hinge mechanism in the open position.

A method of deploying a hood of a vehicle by a hinge mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• providing a biasing mechanism with a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion acts on a first hinge element of the hinge mechanism and the second end portion acts on a second hinge element of the hinge mechanism;
• exerting a biasing torque from the biasing mechanism at the first hinge element and the second hinge element of the hinge mechanism, the biasing mechanism in a first biasing position;
• securing the hinge mechanism in a closed position when the biasing mechanism is in the first biasing position;
• exerting an external force on the hinge mechanism to urge the biasing mechanism from the first biasing position into a second biasing position;
• and
• urging the hinge mechanism into an open position as the biasing mechanism is rotated into the second biasing position;
• wherein at least a portion of the first hinge element and at least a portion of the second hinge element separate from one another when the hinge mechanism is urged from the closed position to the open position.