Patent ID: 6520276
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle hood apparatus having at least one actuator for lifting a vehicle hood to an appropriate extent upon collision of an object with a vehicle, said actuator comprising:an actuator block; a cylinder defined within said block; a piston pin extending into said cylinder through one end thereof; a gas generator situated at the other end of said cylinder for raising said piston pin rapidly; a piston retainer situated at said one end of said cylinder for retaining said raised piston pin in said cylinder; a locking member capable of projecting into said cylinder for locking said piston pin in its raised position, said locking member having a front end, a back end opposite said front end, and a hole extending between said front and back ends to maintain an equal gas pressure therebetween; and an elastic member associated with said locking member for urging it resiliently to project into said cylinder, so that said hood may be lifted by said raised piston pin and held at its lifted position by said locking member.