Bonnet latch bracket arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9689181-B2
Application number	US-201313934077-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2013
Priority date	Jul 3, 2012
Publication date	Jun 27, 2017
Grant date	Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

A bonnet latch bracket arrangement that is adaptable to different vehicle models comprises a bonnet latch, a bracket member and a vehicle body member. The bonnet latch is attachable to the vehicle body member by means of the bracket member, and the bracket member is adapted to take up dimensional differences between the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member in a longitudinal direction, lateral direction and/or height direction of a vehicle. Furthermore, the adaptability to different vehicle models is achievable by varying the geometry of the bracket member according to the dimensions of the vehicle model. A modular system for configuration of a bonnet latch bracket arrangement to different vehicle models and a method for adapting a bonnet latch bracket arrangement to fit in different vehicle models are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bonnet latch bracket arrangement for a vehicle, which arrangement is adaptable to different vehicle models, the arrangement comprising:
a bonnet latch;
a bracket member; and
a vehicle body member;
wherein the bonnet latch is attachable to the vehicle body member via the bracket member, the bracket member comprises a sleeve portion configured to enclose a portion of the vehicle body member, the bracket member is adapted to take up dimensional differences between the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member in a longitudinal direction, lateral direction and/or height direction of the vehicle, and the adaptability to different vehicle models is achievable by varying the geometry of the bracket member according to dimensions of the vehicle model.

2. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a first of the different vehicle models is a soft-nose vehicle and a second of the different vehicle models is a standard-nose vehicle, and wherein the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member have the same geometry for the first and second vehicle models, and the adaptability to the first and said second vehicle models is achievable by varying the geometry of the bracket member.

3. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve portion is adapted to be welded to or heat shrunk to the vehicle body member.

4. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle body member is a cross member adapted to be located at a front of the vehicle.

5. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the bracket member is adapted to be attached to a side beam of the vehicle.

6. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the bracket member is adapted to collapse when impacted by a force above a predefined level, the predefined level being lower than a level of a force needed to collapse the bonnet latch and/or the vehicle body member.

7. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the bracket member is configured to collapse in a preferred direction when mounted in the vehicle.

8. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the preferred direction is substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

9. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the bracket member comprises a framework structure.

10. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the bracket member is made of an extruded material.

11. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the extruded material comprises extruded aluminum.

12. A bonnet latch bracket arrangement for a vehicle, which arrangement is adaptable to different vehicle models, the arrangement comprising:
a bonnet latch;
a bracket member including a framework structure that comprises a collapse trigger point where collapse of the bracket member may be initiated upon sufficient force being exerted on the bracket member; and
a vehicle body member;
wherein the bonnet latch is attachable to the vehicle body member via the bracket member, the bracket member is adapted to take up dimensional differences between the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member in a longitudinal direction, lateral direction and/or height direction of the vehicle, and the adaptability to different vehicle models is achievable by varying the geometry of the bracket member according to dimensions of the vehicle model.

13. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 12 wherein a first of the different vehicle models is a soft-nose vehicle and a second of the different vehicle models is a standard-nose vehicle, and wherein the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member have the same geometry for the first and second vehicle models, and the adaptability to the first and said second vehicle models is achievable by varying the geometry of the bracket member.

14. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the bracket member comprises a first bracket member portion and at least one second bracket member portion, and wherein the first bracket member portion is adapted to fit in a first vehicle model without the at least one second bracket member portion, and the at least one second bracket member portion is adapted to be used in combination with the first bracket member portion in order to fit into a second vehicle model.

15. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the at least one second bracket member portion is configured to extend above the first bracket member portion when the at least one second bracket member portion is used in combination with the first bracket member portion.

16. A bonnet latch bracket arrangement for a vehicle, which arrangement is adaptable to different vehicle models, the arrangement comprising:
a bonnet latch;
a bracket member;
a vehicle body member;
wherein the bonnet latch is attachable to the vehicle body member via the bracket member, wherein the bracket member comprises a first bracket member portion and at least one second bracket member portion, wherein the first bracket member portion is adapted to fit in a first vehicle model without the at least one second bracket member portion, and the at least one second bracket member portion is adapted to be used in combination with the first bracket member portion in order to fit into a second vehicle model, wherein the at least one second bracket member portion is configured to take up dimensional differences between the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member in a longitudinal direction, lateral direction and/or height direction between the first vehicle model and the second vehicle model, and wherein the bonnet latch is mountable in the second vehicle model such that the at least one second bracket member portion is positioned between the bonnet latch and the first bracket member portion and so that the bonnet latch and the first bracket member portion are offset with respect to each other.

17. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the at least one second bracket member portion is configured to extend above the first bracket member portion when the at least one second bracket member portion is used in combination with the first bracket member portion.

18. The bonnet latch bracket arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the bonnet latch is mountable in the second vehicle model such that the first bracket member portion and the at least one second bracket member portion are positioned between the bonnet latch and the vehicle body member.

Assignees

• Volvo Car Corp

Inventors

• Lindmark Peter
• Palovaara Jan

Classifications

• Y10T29/49

  Method of mechanical manufacture · CPC title

• E05B79/04 Primary

  Mounting of lock casings to the vehicle, e.g. to the wing · CPC title

• E05B63/0056

  Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts (adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20) · CPC title

• E05B77/02

  for accident situations · CPC title

• B60R2021/343

  using deformable body panel, bodywork or components · CPC title