HOOD LATCH FOR VEHICLE

1 . A pop-up system ( 26 ) for a latch mechanism ( 24 ) of a vehicle, comprising:

a main lever ( 30 ) pivotally mounted to a plate ( 32 ) of the latch mechanism ( 24 );

a split lever ( 36 ) pivotally mounted to the plate ( 32 );

a main spring ( 28 ) for providing a biasing force to the main lever ( 30 ) via the split lever ( 36 );

a bell crank ( 38 ) pivotally mounted to the main lever ( 30 ), the bell crank ( 38 ) being operably coupled to the split lever ( 36 ) at one end and a link ( 40 ) at another end, the link ( 40 ) pivotally mounted to a cinch lever ( 42 ), the cinch lever ( 42 ) being pivotally mounted to the plate ( 32 ); and

a pawl ( 46 ) pivotally mounted to the plate ( 32 ), the pawl ( 46 ) being moveable between at least an engaged position wherein the pawl ( 46 ) maintains the split lever ( 36 ) in a first position wherein a biasing force of the main spring is prevented from being applied to the main lever ( 30 ) and a disengaged position wherein the biasing force of the main spring is applied to the main lever ( 30 ) in order rotate the main lever into an open position when the latch mechanism ( 24 ) is released.

2 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the split lever ( 36 ) has a pin or protrusion ( 33 ) that is configured contact a leg ( 35 ) of the main spring ( 28 ).

3 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the split lever ( 36 ) has a tab portion ( 58 ) configured to contact an end ( 70 ) of the pawl ( 46 ) when the pawl ( 46 ) is in the engaged position.

4 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 3 , wherein a rotational force is applied to the main lever ( 30 ) by an edge ( 76 ) of the tab portion ( 58 ) of the split lever ( 36 ) contacting an edge portion ( 78 ) of the main lever ( 30 ).

5 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the bell crank ( 38 ) has a tab portion ( 53 ) configured to contact a tab portion ( 55 ) of the split lever ( 36 ) when the split lever ( 36 ) is in the first position.

6 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the main lever has a tab portion ( 72 ) configured to contact the pawl ( 46 ) and rotate the pawl ( 46 ) into the disengaged position.

7 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism ( 24 ) further comprises: a claw ( 80 ) rotatably mounted to the plate ( 32 ) and the cinch lever ( 42 ) is operably coupled to the claw ( 80 ).

8 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 7 , wherein the latch mechanism ( 24 ) further comprises: a latch pawl ( 86 ) rotatably mounted to the plate ( 32 ) for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the engaged position of the latch pawl ( 86 ) retaining the claw ( 80 ) in a closed position and the disengaged position of the latch pawl ( 86 ) allowing the claw ( 80 ) to rotate from the closed position to an open position.

9 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 8 , wherein the split lever ( 36 ) has a pin or protrusion ( 33 ) that is configured contact a leg ( 35 ) of the main spring ( 28 ).

10 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 9 , wherein the split lever ( 36 ) has a tab portion ( 58 ) configured to contact an end ( 70 ) of the pawl ( 46 ) when the pawl ( 46 ) is in the engaged position.

11 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 10 , wherein a rotational force is applied to the main lever ( 30 ) by an edge ( 76 ) of the tab portion ( 58 ) of the split lever ( 36 ) contacting an edge portion ( 78 ) of the main lever ( 30 ).

12 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 11 , wherein the bell crank ( 38 ) has a tab portion ( 53 ) configured to contact a tab portion ( 55 ) of the split lever ( 36 ) when the split lever ( 36 ) is in the first position.

13 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 12 , wherein the main lever ( 30 ) has a tab portion ( 72 ) configured to contact the pawl ( 46 ) and rotate the pawl ( 46 ) into the disengaged position.

14 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 13 , wherein the latch mechanism is configured to retain a vehicle hood ( 20 ) in a closed position by engaging a striker ( 82 ) of the vehicle hood ( 20 ).

15 . The pop-up system ( 26 ) as in claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism ( 34 ) is configured to retain a vehicle hood ( 20 ) in a closed position by engaging a striker ( 82 ) of the vehicle hood.

16 . A method for disengaging a main spring from a main lever of a pop-up system ( 26 ) for a latch mechanism ( 24 ) of a vehicle, comprising:

pivotally mounting the main lever ( 30 ) to a plate ( 32 ) of the latch mechanism ( 24 );

pivotally mounting a split lever ( 36 ) to the plate ( 32 );

providing a biasing force by a main spring ( 28 ) to the main lever ( 30 ) via the split lever ( 36 );

pivotally mounting a bell crank ( 38 ) to the main lever ( 30 ), the bell crank ( 38 ) being operably coupled to the split lever ( 36 ) at one end and a link ( 40 ) at another end, the link ( 40 ) pivotally mounted to a cinch lever ( 42 ), the cinch lever ( 42 ) being pivotally mounted to the plate ( 32 ); and

pivotally mounting a pawl ( 46 ) to the plate ( 32 ), the pawl ( 46 ) being moveable between at least an engaged position wherein the pawl ( 46 ) maintains the split lever ( 36 ) in a first position wherein a biasing force of the main spring is prevented from being applied to the main lever ( 30 ) and a disengaged position wherein the biasing force of the main spring is applied to the main lever ( 30 ) in order rotate the main lever into an open position when the latch mechanism ( 24 ) is released.