Integrated Active Hinge Mechanism

1 . A pedestrian safety system containing:

an active hinge mechanism structured for lifting a portion of a hood of a vehicle, the hinge mechanism comprising a tubular link structured for operative coupling to the hood so as to transmit a lifting force to the hood after activation of the mechanism.

2 . A vehicle including a pedestrian safety system in accordance with claim 1 .

3 . A tubular link structured for operative coupling to a hood of a vehicle so as to transmit a lifting force to the hood, the link including an outer wall defining an enclosure structured to receive therein portions of a hood-lifting mechanism.

4 . The tubular link of claim 3 wherein the outer wall has a cylindrical cross-sectional shape.

5 . The tubular link of claim 3 wherein the outer wall has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

6 . A hood lifting system including a tubular link in accordance with claim 3 .

7 . A vehicle including a pedestrian safety system in accordance with claim 1 .

8 . An active hinge mechanism structured for lifting a portion of a hood of a vehicle, the hinge mechanism comprising an actuator including a housing and a piston disposed within the housing, wherein the hinge mechanism is structured such that, when the mechanism is installed in the vehicle, the piston moves from the housing in a direction toward a road surface on which the vehicle resides, upon activation of the mechanism.

9 . The active hinge mechanism of claim 8 further comprising a tubular link operatively coupled to the actuator and structured for operative coupling to the hood so as to transmit a lifting force to the hood after activation of the mechanism.

10 . A vehicle including an active hinge mechanism in accordance with claim 8 .

11 . A pedestrian safety system including an active hinge mechanism in accordance with claim 8 .