Patent Publication Number: US-2023160240-A1

Title: Front Lid Latch Apparatus for Vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0161622, filed on Nov. 22, 2021, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A vehicle includes a front compartment located in the front thereof, and a front lid mounted on the top of the front compartment and designed to open and close. A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and a cooling module may be disposed in the front compartment. The front lid such as a hood and a frunk lid may be pivotally mounted on the top of the front compartment so as to cover or uncover the top of the front compartment. 
     A pure electric vehicle or a mid-engined car includes a frunk provided in the front compartment, and the frunk is defined as a trunk located in an upper portion of the front compartment. The frunk may have a receiving space in which luggage is received, and a frunk opening allowing access to the receiving space. In some electric vehicles, a frunk lid and a hood may be individually used. In other electric vehicles, a frunk lid and a hood may be used in common. 
     The vehicle includes a front lid latch apparatus capable of locking or unlocking the front lid. The front lid latch apparatus of the electric vehicle may be configured to operate a latch assembly by an actuator using electric energy. 
     In an emergency condition in which electric energy cannot be supplied, the front lid latch apparatus according to the related art may perform the emergency opening of the front lid by supplying electric energy to the actuator through an external power supply device. 
     However, it is very complicated and cumbersome to supply electric energy by the external power supply device, which reduces user convenience. 
     The above information described in this background section is provided to assist in understanding the background of the inventive concept, and may include any technical concept which is not considered as the prior art that is already known to those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle. Particular embodiments relate to a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle that can facilitate emergency opening of a front lid. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure can solve problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle that can facilitate emergency opening of a front lid by making emergency release of a striker easy through a simple mechanical mechanism. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle may include a pawl lever movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position by a first actuator, a latch lever assembly movable between a first hold position and a first releasable position by a movement of the pawl lever, a safety lever movable between a second hold position and a second releasable position by a second actuator, and an emergency lever operatively connected to the pawl lever and the safety lever, and movable between a first position and a second position by a manually operable emergency release cable. 
     As the pawl lever is movable between the engaging position and the disengaging position by the first actuator, the latch lever assembly is movable between the first hold position and the first releasable position by the movement of the pawl lever, the safety lever is movable between the second hold position and the second releasable position by the second actuator, and the emergency lever forces the pawl lever to move to the disengaging position, forces the latch lever assembly to move to the first releasable position, and forces the safety lever to move to the second releasable position by the manually operable emergency release cable (mechanical mechanism), the emergency opening of the front lid may be carried out very quickly and easily. 
     The first position refers to a position in which the emergency lever keeps the pawl lever in the engaging position, keeps the latch lever assembly in the first hold position, and keeps the safety lever in the second hold position, and the second position refers to a position in which the emergency lever forces the pawl lever to move to the disengaging position, forces the latch lever assembly to move to the first releasable position, and forces the safety lever to move to the second releasable position. 
     When the emergency lever is in the first position, the pawl lever may be kept in the engaging position, the latch lever assembly may be kept in the first hold position, and the safety lever may be kept in the second hold position, and thus the striker fixed to the front lid may be locked to the front lid latch apparatus. When the emergency lever is in the second position, the pawl lever may be in the disengaging position, the latch lever assembly may be in the first releasable position, and the safety lever may be in the second releasable position, and thus the striker fixed to the front lid may be unlocked from the front lid latch apparatus. 
     The emergency lever may include a first guide pin protruding toward the pawl lever, and the first guide pin may contact the pawl lever. 
     The emergency lever may be connected to the pawl lever through the first guide pin in a manner that contacts the pawl lever, and the pawl lever may move to the disengaging position by the rotation of the emergency lever. 
     The emergency lever may include a second guide pin protruding toward the safety lever, and the second guide pin may contact the safety lever. 
     The emergency lever may be connected to the safety lever through the second guide pin in a manner that contacts the safety lever, and the safety lever may move to the second releasable position by the rotation of the emergency lever. 
     The pawl lever may have a first guide surface guiding a movement of the first guide pin. 
     As the movement of the first guide pin of the emergency lever is guided along the first guide surface of the pawl lever, the emergency lever may force the pawl lever to rotate. 
     The safety lever may have a second guide surface guiding a movement of the second guide pin. 
     As the movement of the second guide pin of the emergency lever is guided along the second guide surface of the safety lever, the emergency lever may force the safety lever to rotate. 
     The front lid latch apparatus may further include a mounting bracket rotatably supporting the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever. 
     As the mounting bracket rotatably supports the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever, the mounting bracket may efficiently implement any operative connection system between the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever. 
     The mounting bracket may include a first surface on which the safety lever is rotatably mounted and a second surface on which the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, and the emergency lever are rotatably mounted. 
     Accordingly, the safety lever may face the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, and the emergency lever with the mounting bracket interposed therebetween. 
     The mounting bracket may have a guide slot guiding a movement of the second guide pin, and the second guide pin may extend through the guide slot. 
     As the second guide pin is guided by the guide slot of the mounting bracket, the movement of the emergency lever may be stably guided through the guide slot of the mounting bracket. 
     The pawl lever may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the mounting bracket through a first pivot pin, the latch lever assembly may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the mounting bracket through a second pivot pin, the safety lever may be rotatably mounted on the first surface of the mounting bracket through a third pivot pin, and the emergency lever may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the mounting bracket through a fourth pivot pin. 
     The pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever may be rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket through the corresponding pivot pins, respectively, and thus the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever may be rotatably supported to the mounting bracket. 
     The pawl lever may be biased toward the engaging position by a first biasing member, the latch lever assembly may be biased toward the first releasable position by a second biasing member, the safety lever may be biased toward the second hold position by a third biasing member, and the emergency lever may be biased toward the first position by a fourth biasing member. 
     The pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever may be biased toward specific positions through the corresponding biasing members, and thus the pawl lever, the latch lever assembly, the safety lever, and the emergency lever may stably hold the striker in a normal condition (non-emergency condition). 
     The pawl lever may include an engaging surface with which the latch lever assembly is releasably engaged. 
     The latch lever assembly may include an engaging surface releasably engaged with the engaging surface of the pawl lever. 
     The latch lever assembly may include a first latch lever, a second latch lever connected to the first latch lever, and a spacer interposed between the first latch lever and the second latch lever. 
     The latch lever assembly may have a catch slot in which the striker is held, and the catch slot may be opened toward the pawl lever. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, from which a first actuator and a second actuator are removed; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded perspective view of elements of the front lid latch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a front view of a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a front view of a pawl lever, a latch lever assembly, and a safety lever of the front lid latch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  4   , from which a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket are removed; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a rear view of a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a rear view of a pawl lever, a latch lever assembly, and a safety lever of the front lid latch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  6   , from which a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket are removed; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a portion of a first mounting bracket of a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a portion of the front lid latch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective view of an emergency lever of a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a view which is viewed in direction A of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a state in which an emergency lever is in a first position and a safety lever is in a second hold position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a state in which an emergency lever is in a first position, a pawl lever is in an engaging position, and a latch lever assembly is in a first hold position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a process in which an emergency lever moves from a first position to a second position, and a pawl lever moves from an engaging position to a disengaging position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a process in which an emergency lever moves from a first position to a second position, a pawl lever moves from an engaging position to a disengaging position, and a latch lever assembly moves from a first hold position to a first release position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a state in which an emergency lever is in a second position, a pawl lever is in a disengaging position, and a safety lever is in a second release position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a state in which an emergency lever is in a second position, a pawl lever is in a disengaging position, a latch lever assembly is in a first release position, and a safety lever is in a second release position in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first actuator and a second actuator in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a plan view of a first actuator and a second actuator in a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known techniques associated with the present disclosure will be omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure. 
     Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe the elements in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the intrinsic features, sequence or order, and the like of the corresponding elements are not limited by the terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the field of art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , a front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first mounting bracket  5  and a second mounting bracket  6  facing the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6  may be mounted on a front structure of the vehicle such as a front end module of the vehicle. A striker  8  (see  FIGS.  4  and  5   ) may be mounted on a front lid, and the front lid may be any one of a hood and a frunk lid. 
     The striker  8  may be held or released by the front lid latch apparatus. The striker  8  may have an engaging leg  8   a , and the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  may be held or released by a pawl lever  11 , a latch lever assembly  12 , and a safety lever  13  to be described below. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the first mounting bracket  5  may have two mounting portions  5   a  and  5   b  provided on both sides thereof, and the first mounting bracket  5  may have a slot  5   c  receiving the striker  8  in a central portion thereof. The first mounting bracket  5  may have a plurality of mounting holes  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the second mounting bracket  6  may have two mounting portions  6   a  and  6   b  provided on both sides thereof, and the second mounting bracket  6  may have a slot  6   c  receiving the striker  8  in a central portion thereof. The second mounting bracket  6  may have a plurality of mounting holes  161  and  162 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the mounting portions  6   a  and  6   b  of the second mounting bracket  6  may be mounted on the corresponding mounting portions  5   a  and  5   b  of the first mounting bracket  5  using fasteners, welding, and/or the like. The slot  6   c  of the second mounting bracket  6  may be at least partially aligned with the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include the pawl lever  11 , the latch lever assembly  12  operatively connected to the pawl lever  11 , the safety lever  13  cooperating with the latch lever assembly  12 , and an emergency lever  15  operatively connected to the pawl lever  11  and the safety lever  13 . 
     The first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6  may rotatably support the pawl lever  11  and the latch lever assembly  12 , and the first mounting bracket  5  may rotatably support the safety lever  13  and the emergency lever  15 . 
     The first mounting bracket  5  may have a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. The safety lever  13  may be rotatably mounted on the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5 . The pawl lever  11 , the latch lever assembly  12 , and the emergency lever  15  may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the first mounting bracket  5 . That is, the safety lever  13  may face the pawl lever  11 , the latch lever assembly  12 , and the emergency lever  15  with the first mounting bracket  5  interposed therebetween. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5  may face the front of the vehicle, and the second surface of the first mounting bracket  5  may face the rear of the vehicle. The second mounting bracket  6  may be spaced apart from the second surface of the first mounting bracket  5  by a predetermined gap. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the pawl lever  11  may be rotatably mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 . The pawl lever  11  may move between an engaging position and a disengaging position by a first actuator  1 . Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  13   , the engaging position refers to a position in which the pawl lever  11  is engaged with the latch lever assembly  12 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , the disengaging position refers to a position in which the pawl lever  11  is disengaged from the latch lever assembly  12 . 
     The first actuator  1  may include a drive motor using electric energy, and the first actuator  1  may be connected to the pawl lever  11  through a release cable  125 . Referring to  FIG.  3   , the pawl lever  11  may have a fitting portion  11   d  into which a knob  127  of the release cable  125  of the first actuator  1  is fitted. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the pawl lever  11  may include a mounting hole  11   a  in which a first pivot pin  16  is mounted, and an engaging surface  11   b  with which a first latch lever  21  of the latch lever assembly  12  is releasably engaged. The first pivot pin  16  may be mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 , and the first pivot pin  16  may extend through the mounting hole  11   a  of the pawl lever  11 . Specifically, both ends of the first pivot pin  16  may be mounted in the mounting hole  151  of the first mounting bracket  5  and the mounting hole  161  of the second mounting bracket  6 , respectively, and the first pivot pin  16  may be fitted into the mounting hole  11   a  of the pawl lever  11 . As the pawl lever  11  rotates (pivots) around the first pivot pin  16 , the pawl lever  11  may move between the engaging position (see  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  13   ) and the disengaging position (see  FIG.  17   ). 
     The pawl lever  11  may be biased toward the engaging position by a first biasing member  17 , and the first biasing member  17  may be mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the pawl lever  11 . For example, the first biasing member  17  may be a compression spring. The pawl lever  11  may have a mounting hole  11   c  in which one end of the first biasing member  17  is mounted. 
     The latch lever assembly  12  and the pawl lever  11  may face each other with respect to the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the latch lever assembly  12  may be rotatably mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 . 
     The latch lever assembly  12  may move between a first hold position and a first releasable position between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 . Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  13   , the first hold position refers to a position in which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is held by the latch lever assembly  12 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , the first releasable position refers to a position in which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is releasable from the latch lever assembly  12 . When the pawl lever  11  is in the engaging position, the latch lever assembly  12  may be in the first hold position, and when the pawl lever  11  is in the disengaging position, the latch lever assembly  12  may be in the first releasable position. 
     The latch lever assembly  12  may be rotatably mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6  through a second pivot pin  24 . The second pivot pin  24  may be mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 , and the second pivot pin  24  may extend through a mounting hole of the latch lever assembly  12 . Specifically, both ends of the second pivot pin  24  may be mounted in the mounting hole  152   of the first mounting bracket  5  and the mounting hole  162  of the second mounting bracket  6 , respectively, and the second pivot pin  24  may be fitted into the mounting hole of the latch lever assembly  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the latch lever assembly  12  may include the first latch lever  21 , a second latch lever  22  connected to the first latch lever  21 , and a spacer  23  interposed between the first latch lever  21  and the second latch lever  22 . The spacer  23  may prevent wear between the first latch lever  21  and the second latch lever  22 . The first latch lever  21  may have a mounting hole  21   a , the spacer  23  may have a mounting hole  23   a  aligned with the mounting hole  21   a  of the first latch lever  21 , and the second latch lever  22  may have a mounting hole  22   a  aligned with the mounting hole  21   a  of the first latch lever  21  and the mounting hole  23   a  of the spacer  23 . The second pivot pin  24  may be fitted into the mounting hole  21   a  of the first latch lever  21 , the mounting hole  23   a  of the spacer  23 , and the mounting hole  22   a  of the second latch lever  22 , and the first latch lever  21 , the spacer  23 , and the second latch lever  22  may rotate together around the second pivot pin  24  in the same direction. As the latch lever assembly  12  rotates (pivots) around the second pivot pin  24 , the latch lever assembly  12  may move between the first hold position (see  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  13   ) and the first releasable position (see  FIG.  17   ). 
     The first latch lever  21  may have an engaging surface  21   b  facing the pawl lever  11 , and the engaging surface  21   b  of the first latch lever  21  may be releasably engaged with the engaging surface  11   b  of the pawl lever  11 . In addition, the first latch lever  21  may have a catch slot  26  in which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is held, and the catch slot  26  may be opened toward the pawl lever  11 . The engaging surface  21   b  maybe adjacent to the catch slot  26 . 
     The latch lever assembly  12  may be biased toward the first releasable position by a second biasing member  25 , and the second biasing member  25  may be mounted between the latch lever assembly  12  and the first mounting bracket  5 . For example, the second biasing member  25  may be a compression spring. Specifically, the second latch lever  22  may have a projection portion  22   b  protruding toward the second mounting bracket  6 , and the projection portion  22   b  of the second latch lever  22  may have a recess  22   c  into which one end of the second biasing member  25  is fitted. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the rotation direction of the latch lever assembly  12  may be the same as the rotation direction of the pawl lever  11 . Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  17   , when the pawl lever  11  rotates in direction R2, the engaging surface  11   b  of the pawl lever  11  may be disengaged from the engaging surface  21   b  of the latch lever assembly  12 , and the latch lever assembly  12  may rotate in direction R3 by a biasing force of the second biasing member  25 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  7 , and  13   , when the pawl lever  11  is in the engaging position, the engaging surface  11   b  of the pawl lever  11  may be engaged with the engaging surface  21   b  of the first latch lever  21  of the latch lever assembly  12 , and accordingly the latch lever assembly  12  may be kept in the first hold position. 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , when the pawl lever  11  is in the disengaging position, the engaging surface  11   b  of the pawl lever  11  may be completely disengaged from the engaging surface  21   b  of the first latch lever  21  of the latch lever assembly  12 , and accordingly the latch lever assembly  12  may be in the first releasable position. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the safety lever  13  may be rotatably mounted on the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5 . The safety lever  13  may move between a second hold position and a second releasable position by a second actuator  2 . Referring to  FIGS.  4  to  7  and  12  to  15   , the second hold position refers to a position in which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is held by the safety lever  13 . Referring to  FIGS.  16  and  17   , the second releasable position refers to a position in which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is releasable from the safety lever  13 . 
     The second actuator  2  may include a drive motor using electric energy, and the second actuator  2  may be connected to the safety lever  13  through a release cable  125 . Referring to  FIG.  4   , the safety lever  13  may have a fitting portion  13   d  into which a knob  127  of the release cable  125  of the second actuator  2  is fitted. 
     The safety lever  13  may be rotatably mounted on the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5  through a third pivot pin  31 . The safety lever  13  may have a mounting hole  13   a  in which the third pivot pin  31  is mounted. The third pivot pin  31  may be mounted in the mounting hole  153  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and the third pivot pin  31  may be fitted into the mounting hole  13   a  of the safety lever  13 . As the safety lever  13  rotates (pivots) around the third pivot pin  31 , the safety lever  13  may move between the second hold position (see  FIGS.  4  to  7  and  12  to  15   ) and the second releasable position (see  FIGS.  16  and  17   ). 
     A washer  32  may be disposed on the circumference of the third pivot pin  31 , and the washer  32  may be interposed between the safety lever  13  and the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5  to prevent the safety lever  13  from being pressed against or frozen on the first surface of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The safety lever  13  may be biased toward the second hold position by a third biasing member  33 , and the third biasing member  33  may be mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the safety lever  13 . For example, the third biasing member  33  may be a torsion spring, and the third biasing member  33  may be disposed on the circumference of the third pivot pin  31 . 
     The safety lever  13  may have a hook  13   b  by which the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  is held. When the safety lever  13  is in the second hold position, the hook  13   b  of the safety lever  13  may be located above the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8 . Accordingly, the hook  13   b  of the safety lever  13  may block a vertical movement path of the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8 , and the movement of the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  may be restricted by the hook  13   b  of the safety lever  13  so that abnormal opening of the front lid may be prevented. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the hook  13   b  may be located above a top end of the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and thus the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  may be prevented from being released or separated from the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     When the safety lever  13  is in the second releasable position, the hook  13   b  may be biased toward one side from the top end of the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and thus the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8  may be released or separated from the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The safety lever  13  may have a slot  13   c . When the safety lever  13  moves between the second hold position and the second releasable position, the slot  13   c  of the safety lever  13  may be aligned or misaligned with the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The safety lever  13  may include a first extension portion  13   e  facing the latch lever assembly  12 , and a second extension portion  13   f  facing the pawl lever  11 . The first extension portion  13   e  and the second extension portion  13   f  may define the slot  13   c . The first extension portion  13   e  may extend relatively longer than the slot  5   c  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and the second extension portion  13   f  may be shorter than the first extension portion  13   e . 
     The hook  13   b  may be provided on a top end of the first extension portion  13   e , and the hook  13   b  may protrude from the top end of the first extension portion  13   e  toward the second extension portion  13   f  and the emergency lever  15 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the emergency lever  15  may be disposed between the first mounting bracket  5  and the second mounting bracket  6 . Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the emergency lever  15  may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the first mounting bracket  5 . The emergency lever  15  may move between a first position and a second position by a manually operable emergency release cable  71 . Referring to  FIGS.  4  to  7   , an emergency handle  7  manually operated by a user may be connected to the emergency lever  15  through the emergency release cable  71 , and the emergency handle  7  may be disposed adjacent to a driver’s seat or a front passenger seat of the vehicle. Referring to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the emergency lever  15  may have a mounting portion  15   a  on which a knob  73  of the emergency release cable  71  is mounted. The movement of the emergency release cable  71  may be guided by a cable guide  72 , and the cable guide  72  may be fixedly mounted on one side of the first mounting bracket  5 . 
     The first position refers to a position in which the emergency lever  15  keeps the pawl lever  11  in the engaging position, keeps the latch lever assembly  12  in the first hold position, and keeps the safety lever  13  in the second hold position, and the second position refers to a position in which the emergency lever  15  forces the pawl lever  11  to move to the disengaging position, forces the latch lever assembly  12  to move to the first releasable position, and forces the safety lever  13  to move to the second releasable position. As the user does not operate the emergency handle  7  in a normal condition, the emergency lever  15  may be in the first position (see  FIGS.  4  to  7 ,  12 , and  13   ). When the user pulls the emergency handle  7  in an emergency condition, the emergency lever  15  may move to the second position (see  FIGS.  16  and  17   ) by the emergency release cable  71 . Specifically, the emergency lever  15  may force the pawl lever  11  to move to the disengaging position, force the latch lever assembly  12  to move to the first releasable position, and force the safety lever  13  to move to the second releasable position in an emergency condition in which the first actuator  1  and the second actuator  2  are inoperable due to the failure of the power supply. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the emergency lever  15  may be rotatably mounted on the second surface of the first mounting bracket  5  through a fourth pivot pin  51 . The emergency lever  15  may have a mounting hole in which the fourth pivot pin  51  is mounted. The fourth pivot pin  51  may be mounted in the mounting hole  154  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and the fourth pivot pin  51  may be fitted into the mounting hole of the emergency lever  15 . As the emergency lever  15  rotates (pivots) around the fourth pivot pin  51 , the emergency lever  15  may move between the first position (see  FIGS.  4  to  7 ,  12 , and  13   ) and the second position (see  FIGS.  16  and  17   ). 
     The emergency lever  15  may be biased toward the first position by a fourth biasing member  52 , and the fourth biasing member  52  may be mounted between the first mounting bracket  5  and the emergency lever  15 . For example, the fourth biasing member  52  may be a torsion spring, and the fourth biasing member  52  may be disposed on the circumference of the fourth pivot pin  51 . As the user pulls the emergency handle  7 , the emergency release cable  71  may pull the emergency lever  15  to move the emergency lever  15  to the second position. Thereafter, when the user returns the emergency handle  7  to the original position, the emergency lever  15  may return to the first position by the fourth biasing member  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the emergency lever  15  may include a first guide pin  53  and a second guide pin  54  protruding in opposite directions. 
     The first guide pin  53  may protrude toward the rear of the vehicle. Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  10   , the first guide pin  53  may protrude from the emergency lever  15  toward the second mounting bracket  6  and the pawl lever  11 . Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the first guide pin  53  may contact a top end portion of the pawl lever  11 , and the top end portion of the pawl lever  11  may have a first guide surface  63  guiding the movement of the first guide pin  53 . The first guide surface  63  may be inclined at a predetermined angle or curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. When the emergency lever  15  rotates, the first guide pin  53  may move along the first guide surface  63 , and accordingly the pawl lever  11  may rotate (pivot) around the first pivot pin  16 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the rotation direction of the pawl lever  11  may be opposite to the rotation direction of the emergency lever  15 . Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  17   , when the emergency lever  15  rotates in direction R1, the first guide pin  53  of the emergency lever  15   may be guided along the first guide surface  63  of the pawl lever  11 , and accordingly the pawl lever  11  may rotate in direction R2. 
     The second guide pin  54  may protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The second guide pin  54  may protrude from the emergency lever  15  toward the safety lever  13 . Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  8   , the first mounting bracket  5  may have a guide slot  155  guiding the movement of the second guide pin  54 , and the guide slot  155  may have an arc shape with a predetermined radius. The second guide pin  54  may extend through the guide slot  155  of the first mounting bracket  5 , and the second guide pin  54  may contact the safety lever  13 . Referring to  FIGS.  5 ,  12 ,  14 , and  16   , the safety lever  13  may have a second guide surface  64  provided on a portion thereof adjacent to the second guide pin  54 . When the emergency lever  15  moves to the second position, the second guide pin  54  may move along the second guide surface  64  of the safety lever  13 . The second guide surface  64  may be provided on the second extension portion  13   f  of the safety lever  13 , and the second guide surface  64  may be inclined at a predetermined angle or curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. When the emergency lever  15  rotates, the second guide pin  54  may move along the second guide surface  64 , and the safety lever  13  may rotate (pivot) around the third pivot pin  31 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the rotation direction of the safety lever  13  may be opposite to the rotation direction of the emergency lever  15 . Referring to  FIG.  16   , when the emergency lever  15  rotates in direction R1, the second guide pin  54  of the emergency lever  15  may be guided along the second guide surface  64  of the safety lever  13 , and accordingly the safety lever  13  may rotate in direction R4. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the front lid latch apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a sensor  19  for detecting a position of the latch lever assembly  12 . The sensor  19  may be a contact sensor having a contact member  19   a  which comes into contact with the latch lever assembly  12 . The sensor  19  may be configured to detect whether the latch lever assembly  12  is in the first hold position or the first releasable position. The sensor  19  may have access to a controller (not shown), and the controller may notify a driver (or an occupant) of a state in which the emergency opening of the front lid is possible based on the detection results of the sensor  19 . Referring to  FIG.  13   , the sensor  19  may detect that the latch lever assembly  12  is in the first hold position, and the controller may notify the driver (or the occupant) of a state in which the striker  8  is held by the latch lever assembly  12 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , the sensor  19  may detect that the latch lever assembly  12  is in the first releasable position, and the controller may notify the driver (or the occupant) of a state in which the striker  8  is releasable from the latch lever assembly  12 . 
     The first actuator  1  may be connected to the pawl lever  11 , and the first actuator  1  may rotate the pawl lever  11  through the drive motor and the release cable. The second actuator  2  may be connected to the safety lever  13 , and the second actuator  2  may rotate the safety lever  13  through the drive motor and the release cable. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, as the first actuator  1  rotates the pawl lever  11 , and the second actuator  2  rotates the safety lever  13 , the first actuator  1  and the second actuator  2  may have the same structure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  18  and  19   , each of the first actuator  1  and the second actuator  2  may include a drive motor  115 , a drive gear  116  connected to an output shaft of the drive motor  115 , a rotating body  117  rotated by the drive gear  116 , a moving body  118  moving linearly by the rotation of the rotating body  117 , and the release cable  125  connected to the moving body  118 . 
     A housing  112  may have an opening which is opened toward the outside, and the drive motor  115 , the drive gear  116 , the rotating body  117 , and a portion of the moving body  118  may be received in the housing  112  through the opening of the housing  112 . The housing  112  may be fixedly mounted on a bracket  111 , and the opening of the housing  112  may be covered by a housing cover  113 . The housing cover  113  may be mounted to the housing  112  through a screw  122 . A sealing member  119  may be mounted on edges of the housing  112 . A connector  114  may be electrically connected to the drive motor  115 , and electric energy may be transferred from an external battery to the drive motor  115  through the connector  114 . 
     The drive gear  116  may be a spur gear. As the drive motor  115  operates, the drive gear  116  may rotate. The rotating body  117  may include a driven gear  117   a  meshing with the drive gear  116  and a lead screw  117   b  extending from the driven gear  117   a . The driven gear  117   a  and the lead screw  117   b  may form a unitary one-piece structure. As the driven gear  117   a  is rotated by the drive gear  116 , the lead screw  117   b  may rotate together with the driven gear  117   a  in the same direction. The lead screw  117   b  may have external threads on its external surface. 
     The moving body  118  may be a nut block having internal threads meshing with the external threads of the lead screw  117   b . As the lead screw  117   b  rotates, the moving body  118  may move linearly. The housing  112  may have a guide hole allowing the movement of the moving body  118 , and the moving body  118  may move (forward or backward) along the guide hole of the housing  112 . 
     A dust cover  120  may be mounted in the guide hole of the housing  112 , and the dust cover  120  may block moisture, dust, and other foreign objects from entering the housing  112 . 
     The release cable  125  may have a first end portion connected to the moving body  118 , and a second end portion connected to the pawl lever  11  or the safety lever  13 . An L-shaped rod  123  may be fixed to the first end portion of the release cable  125 , and the knob  127  may be fixed to the second end portion of the release cable  125 . 
     The rod  123  may be connected to the moving body  118  through a connection member  121 , and the first end portion of the release cable  125  may be connected to the moving body  118  through the rod  123  and the connection member  121 . As the moving body  118  moves linearly, the release cable  125  may move together with the moving body  118  in the same direction. 
     The movement of the release cable  125  may be guided by two cable guides  124  and a sleeve  126 . The two cable guides  124  may be fixed to both ends of the sleeve  126 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the knob  127  of the first actuator  1  may be fitted into the fitting portion  11   d  of the pawl lever  11 . Referring to  FIG.  12   , the knob  127  of the second actuator  2  may be fitted into the fitting portion  13   d  of the safety lever  13 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , when the pawl lever  11  is in the engaging position, the latch lever assembly  12  may be in the first hold position so that the catch slot  26  of the latch lever assembly  12  may hold the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8 , and thus the front lid may be locked to the front lid latch apparatus. In a state in which the pawl lever  11  is in the engaging position, and the latch lever assembly  12  is in the first hold position, as illustrated in  FIG.  12   , when the safety lever  13  is in the second hold position, the hook  13   b  of the safety lever  13  may be located above the engaging leg  8   a  of the striker  8 , thereby preventing the front lid from abnormally being opened. 
     In an emergency condition in which electric energy cannot be supplied to at least one of the first actuator  1  and the second actuator  2 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , when the user pulls the emergency handle  7 , the emergency release cable  71  may move in direction F, and accordingly the emergency lever  15  may start to rotate in direction R1, and the emergency lever  15  may move toward the second position. As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , when the emergency lever  15  starts to rotate in direction R1, the first guide pin  53  of the emergency lever  15  may be guided along the first guide surface  63  of the pawl lever  11 , and accordingly the pawl lever  11  may start to rotate in direction R2. When the pawl lever  11  starts to rotate in direction R2, the pawl lever  11  may move toward the disengaging position. As the pawl lever  11  moves toward the disengaging position, the latch lever assembly  12  may move toward the first releasable position. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   , when the emergency lever  15  continues to rotate in R1, the second guide pin  54  of the emergency lever  15  may be guided along the second guide surface  64   of the pawl lever  11 , and accordingly the safety lever  13  may rotate in direction R4, and the safety lever  13  may be in the second releasable position. Referring to  FIG.  17   , as the pawl lever  11  is in the disengaging position, the engaging surface  11   b  of the pawl lever  11  may be completely disengaged from the engaging surface  21   b  of the first latch lever  21  of the latch lever assembly  12 . As the latch lever assembly  12  rotates in direction R3, the latch lever assembly  12  may completely move toward the first releasable position. 
     As the safety lever  13  is in the second releasable position, and the latch lever assembly  12  is in the first releasable position, the striker  8  of the front lid may be released from the front lid latch apparatus, which may facilitate the emergency opening of the front lid. 
     As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the emergency lever may be connected to the emergency handle through the emergency release cable to make the emergency release of the striker easy, and thus the emergency opening of the front lid may be facilitated. 
     Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the following claims.