Hinge assembly for a vehicle front lid, method for operating a hinge assembly, use of a spring assembly, and vehicle

Abstract

A hinge assembly for movably coupling a vehicle front lid to a vehicle body structure. The hinge assembly includes a first mechanical connection interface, a second mechanical connection interface, a pedestrian protection mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The first mechanical connection interface is for mounting the hinge assembly to the vehicle front lid. The second mechanical connection interface is for mounting the hinge assembly to the vehicle body structure. The pedestrian protection mechanism is for selectively lifting the first mechanical connection interface relative to the second mechanical connection interface. The locking mechanism is for selectively locking the pedestrian protection mechanism such that in a locking state of the locking mechanism the pedestrian protection mechanism is disabled and in a release state of the locking mechanism the pedestrian protection mechanism is enabled.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.