Patent attributes
A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed locked position and a released position is disclosed. The mechanism includes a latch assembly attached to a chassis member. The latch assembly includes a latch having a locking cam and a pawl movable between a locked position engaging the locking cam and an unlocked position away from the locking cam. A sensor detects the presence of a pedestrian proximate the front of the motor vehicle and generates a signal in response thereto. A deployment spring having an energized position and a released position is retained in an energized position by a release mechanism responsive to the signal generated by the sensor, such that actuation of the release mechanism releases the resilient member and rotates the pawl to the unlocked position to release the latch.
