VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL LIFT HOOD

• US 20200130750A1
• Filed: 10/29/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Glickman, David Brian, Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Wisneski, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,717,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/12 Parts or details thereof locks E05B, E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; springs, e.g. pneumatic springs F16F
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/30 of extensible, e.g. telescopic, construction flexible members E05C17/36 ; locking of telescopic systems in general F16B7/10; lockable telescopic gas springs F16F9/0254
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/50 using fluid-pressure actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/41 for multiple motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/536 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids

Abstract

A vehicle having a front trunk and a method of controlling a vehicle to access the trunk may include raising a hood from a closed position adjacent body structure to a fully open position with the hood oriented horizontally to provide access to a front trunk, raising a grille with the hood; and pivoting the grille about a hinge affixed to the hood. Front trunk lighting and bins maybe included in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:

raising a hood from a closed position adjacent body structure to a fully open position with the hood oriented horizontally to provide access to a front trunk;

raising a grille with the hood; and

pivoting the grille about a hinge affixed to the hood.

2. The method of claim 1 further including:

activating a video display mounted on an inner surface of the grille after pivoting the grille about the hinge.

3. The method of claim 1 further including:

activating lighting in the front trunk as the hood is raised from the closed position to the fully open position.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the lighting is illuminated at 100% intensity when the hood is fully open and at lesser intensity as the hood is located closer to the body structure.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hood remains in the horizontal orientation from the closed position to the fully open position.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the hood moves from the closed position to a partially open position where a front of the hood is raised above a back of the hood, and then the back of the hood is raised to orient the hood horizontally in the fully open position.

7. The method of claim 6 further including:

activating a video display mounted on an inner surface of the grille after pivoting the grille about the hinge.

8. The method of claim 6 further including:

activating lighting in the front trunk as the hood is raised from the closed position to the fully open position.

9. A vehicle comprising:

body structure including a front trunk;

a hood above the front trunk;

a lift assembly including struts mounted between the hood and body structure configured to lift the hood from a closed position to a fully open position with the hood oriented horizontally; and

a grille pivotally mounted to the trunk.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 including a video display mounted to an inner surface of the grille.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 a lighting system mounted under the hood and configured to light the front trunk when the hood is not in the closed position.

12. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the lift assembly includes hood pivot hinges mounted to a rear end of the hood, between the hood and corresponding ones of the struts.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the lift assembly is configured to lift a front end of the hood from the closed position, pivoting about the hood pivot hinges, and then lift the rear end of the hood to the fully open position.

14. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the lift assembly is configured to maintain the hood oriented horizontally from the closed position to the fully open position.

15. The vehicle of claim 9 including bins removably mounted in the front trunk.