Hood Actuator

Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.

The hood actuators are pyrotechnic air bags. The hood actuators are located just forward of the hood latches on either side of the hood. The actuators comprise a pyrotechnic device to raise the hood, a secondary hood latch mechanism and a tether sleeve. Once fired a locking device mounted on top of the actuator couples with the secondary hood latch before the air bag inflates to raise the hood. This ensures that the hood can only deploy to a pre-determined height (approximately 130 mm (5.1 in.)). As the hood actuator is fired two prongs located in the secondary latch housing are moved out of their retaining clamp. The prongs are spring loaded to grip the secondary hood latch striker securing it to the actuator tether cone.

Hood Actuator and Secondary Latch

Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.