Vehicle hood deployment device for pedestrian protection

A pedestrian safety device for an automotive vehicle having a body structure and a hood with a trailing edge and a leading edge, the safety device comprising:

• a guide member disposed on the body structure adjacent the hood trailing edge and defining a path having a forward end and a rear end;
• a hinge arm having a pivot end rotatably connected to the hood adjacent the trailing edge and a slide end engaging the guide member for movement along the path, the hinge arm movable between a normal operating position wherein the slide end is adjacent the forward end of the path and the pivot end is relatively close to the vehicle structure, and a raised position wherein the slide end is adjacent the rear end of the path and the pivot end is raised with respect to the normal position, movement of the hinge arm from the normal position to the raised position causing the trailing edge of the hood to move upwardly;
• and
• an actuator disposed on the body structure and engaging the hinge arm, the actuator having a retracted condition wherein the hinge arm is in the normal operating position and movable to an extended condition to urge the hinge arm to the raised position, the actuator acting along a line of action generally parallel with the path.

A pedestrian safety device for an automotive vehicle having a body structure and a hood with a trailing edge and a leading edge, the safety device comprising:

• a hinge assembly secured to the vehicle structure and comprising a retaining member disposed approximately below the trailing edge of hood and having an upward-facing retaining slot, and a guide member extending forwardly from the retaining member and having a track formed therein generally parallel with the upper surface of the vehicle structure;
• a hinge arm having a pivot end rotatably connected to the hood adjacent the trailing edge and a slide end engaging the track for movement therealong, the hinge arm movable between a normal operating position wherein the slide end is adjacent the forward end of the track and the pivot end is engaged with the retaining member for normal opening and closing of the hood, and a raised position wherein the slide end is adjacent the rear end of the track and the pivot end is raised with respect to the normal position, movement of the hinge arm from the normal position to the raised position causing the trailing edge of the hood to move upwardly;
• and
• an actuator disposed on the body structure and engaging the hinge arm, the actuator having a retracted condition wherein the hinge arm is in the normal operating position and movable to an extended condition to urge the hinge arm to the raised position, the actuator acting along a line of action generally parallel with the track.