Hood hinge
By using torsion spring assembly, rubber insulator and self-lubricating bushing in the hood hinge, the existing hood hinge is difficult to open and close, loud, high cost and difficult to repair, and the effects of easy operation, low noise, low cost and easy maintenance are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411770569.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-06
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-06
AI Technical Summary
The existing hood hinges are difficult to open or close, require external lubrication, and make excessive noise when opened or closed, difficult to support a specific angle, and are costly and large in physical packaging, and difficult to repair.
A hood hinge is designed, adopting a structure with a torsion spring assembly, reducing friction by a rubber insulator and a self-lubricating bushing, supporting the hood at a predetermined angle with a torsion spring, and can be achieved by assembling off-the-shelf parts for easy maintenance.
The hood hinges are easy to open and close, reduce noise, support the hood to stabilize at specific angles, reduce cost and physical package size, and support ease of repair.
Smart Images
Figure CN120100269A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a hood hinge for a vehicle hood, and more particularly to a hood hinge having a torsion spring assembly that supports the vehicle hood in an open position when pivoted open beyond a predetermined angle. Background Art
[0002] Existing hood hinges utilize such torsion bar mechanisms and / or gas struts that function by compressing gas within a cylinder to support the vehicle hood and lift the vehicle hood pivotably about a hinge pin. Existing hood hinges may suffer from problems in that they are difficult to open or close, require external lubrication, and make excessive noise when opened or closed. Therefore, there is a need for a hood hinge that is easy to open, can support the hood at a specific angle, allows for easy closing, does not require external lubrication, and is rugged enough to absorb direct impact and vibration from the road during vehicle movement. It would be beneficial if such a hood hinge could be implemented at a lower cost and in a smaller physical package than existing hood hinges. It would be even more beneficial if such a hood hinge could be easily assembled from off-the-shelf components and be repairable to allow replacement of components that need replacement. Summary of the invention
[0003] In one aspect of the present invention, a hood hinge includes a hood mounting rod, a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end, and a first bracket fixedly connecting the hood mounting rod to the housing tube. A rubber insulator is disposed in each of the first end and the second end of the housing tube, and a self-lubricating bushing is disposed in each rubber insulator. A first torsion spring is disposed around the housing tube near the first end of the housing tube. A second bracket has a base and first and second flaps extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively, and a hinge pin disposed to pass through the first and second flaps, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube.
[0004] In another aspect of the present invention, a hood hinge includes a hood mounting rod, a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end, and a first bracket fixedly connecting the hood mounting rod to the housing tube. A rubber insulator is disposed in each of the first and second ends of the housing tube, and a self-lubricating bushing is disposed in each rubber insulator. The hood hinge also includes a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, the first torsion spring being disposed around the housing tube near the first end of the housing tube, and the second torsion spring being disposed around the housing tube near the second end of the housing tube. The second bracket has a base and first and second fins extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively, and a hinge pin disposed to pass through the first and second fins, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube.
[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a hood hinge includes a welded subassembly including a hood mounting rod adapted to be fixedly attached to a vehicle hood, a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end, and a first bracket welded to the hood mounting rod and the housing tube. A rubber insulator is disposed in each of the first and second ends of the housing tube, and a self-lubricating bushing is disposed in each rubber insulator. The hood hinge also includes a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, the first torsion spring being disposed around the housing tube near the first end of the housing tube, and the second torsion spring being disposed around the housing tube near the second end of the housing tube. The second bracket has a base and first and second fins extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively, wherein the base is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle chassis, and a hinge pin is disposed to pass through the first and second fins, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube. The first fin includes a first slot disposed therethrough, and the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the first slot, the second fin includes a second slot disposed therethrough, and the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed through the second slot, the first bracket includes a first hole disposed therethrough, and the second end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the first hole, the first bracket includes a second hole disposed therethrough, and the second end of the second torsion spring is disposed through the second hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope.
[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary hood hinge according to an embodiment;
[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a central portion of a hood hinge of an engine hood, and including an enlarged area of the central portion;
[0009] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary hood hinge, taken generally through the second bracket 200, according to an embodiment;
[0010] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary hood hinge, taken generally through a hinge pin 240 , according to an embodiment;
[0011] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken generally through a self-lubricating bushing 180 and a rubber insulator 170 assembled on a hinge pin 240 according to an embodiment;
[0012] Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged view of a first torsion spring 190 attached to a first end of a housing tube 120 according to an embodiment;
[0013] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary hood hinge 100 attached to a vehicle hood 320 according to an embodiment, showing the vehicle hood 320 in a closed position;
[0014] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary hood hinge 100 attached to a vehicle hood 320 according to an embodiment, showing the vehicle hood 320 in an open position;
[0015] Fig. 9 Steps of a method for manufacturing an exemplary hood hinge according to an embodiment are shown.
[0016] In the following detailed description, various embodiments are described with reference to the attached drawings. The skilled person will appreciate that the drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements or components throughout. Therefore, the same elements or components will not necessarily be described in detail in each drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exemplary hood hinge 100 includes a hood mounting rod 110, a housing tube 120 having a first open end 130 and a second open end 140, and a first bracket 150 that fixedly connects the hood mounting rod 110 to the housing tube 120. In one embodiment, the first bracket 150 is fixedly connected to the housing tube 120 by, for example but not limited to, welding, so as to form a hood mounting rod 110. Figure 1 The first subassembly 160 is shown in the dashed rectangle 160 .
[0018] Reference now Figure 1-3and Figure 5 In one embodiment, a rubber insulator 170 is disposed within each of the first end 130 and the second end 140 of the housing tube 120, such as but not limited to by press fitting into the housing tube 120. In one embodiment, a self-lubricating bushing 180 is disposed within each of the rubber insulators 170. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the rubber insulators 170 minimize the intensity of shock and vibration from the road surface to the hinge pin 240 (see below). In one embodiment, a first torsion spring 190 is disposed around the housing tube 120 near the first end 130 of the housing tube 120. In one embodiment, the second bracket 200 includes a base 210 and a first flap 220 and a second flap 230 extending from the base 210.
[0019] When assembled into the first subassembly 160, the first fin 220 and the second fin 230 extend on the first end 130 and the second end 140 of the housing tube 120, respectively. In one embodiment, a hinge pin 240 is disposed through the first fin 220 and the second fin 230, the self-lubricating bushing 180, and the housing tube 120. In one embodiment, the hinge pin 240 includes a bolt 244 and a nut 246. Figure 5 , the self-lubricating bushing 180 is shown in cross section as being press-fitted into the rubber insulator 170, and the hinge pin 240 is disposed through the self-lubricating bushing 180. In an embodiment, the self-lubricating bushing 180 is made of graphite.
[0020] Reference Figure 2-4 In one embodiment, the first fin 220 includes a slot 250 disposed therethrough, and the first end 260 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed through the slot 250. Figure 5 , which shows an enlarged view of the first end 130 of the housing tube 120. In one embodiment, the first bracket 150 includes a first hole 270 disposed therethrough (see also Figure 3 ), and the second end 280 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed to pass through the first hole 270. The first hole 270 and the second end 280 of the first torsion spring 190 are disposed in Figure 6 1 and 2 are shown in phantom because they are located behind the hood mounting bar 110 .
[0021] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the first spring lock bracket 290 is attached to the first tab 220 and includes a second hole 300 disposed therethrough, wherein the first end 260 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed through the second hole 200 .
[0022] refer to Figure 2 , 78, in one embodiment, the base 210 of the second bracket 200 defines a plane 310 and is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle chassis (not shown). In one embodiment, the hood mounting bar 110 is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle hood 320, for example but not limited to, by bolting or otherwise fastening to the vehicle hood. In one embodiment, the hood hinge 100 pivotably supports the vehicle hood 320 at an angle 330 defined between the plane 310 and a line 340 passing through the vehicle hood 320.
[0023] refer to Figure 1-3 In one embodiment, the hood hinge 100 further includes a second torsion spring 190' disposed around the housing tube 120 near the second end 140 of the housing tube 120. In this embodiment, all structural relationships between the first torsion spring 190 and components surrounding and contacting it also apply similarly to the second torsion spring 190'. For example, in this embodiment, the first fin 220 includes a first slot 250 disposed therethrough, and the first end 260 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed to pass through the first slot 250, and similarly, the second fin 230 includes a second slot 250' disposed therethrough (see Figure 3 ), and the first end 260' of the second torsion spring 190' is disposed through the second slot 250. In this embodiment, the first bracket 150 includes a first hole 270 disposed therethrough, and the second end 280 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed through the first hole 270, and the first bracket 150 also includes a second hole 270' disposed therethrough, and the second end 280' of the second torsion spring 190' is disposed through the second hole 270'.
[0024] The first ends 260 and 260' of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' disposed through the slots 250 and 250' can move freely within the slots 250 and 250'. Figure 1 , 24, in one embodiment, the hood hinge 100 further includes a first spring lock bracket 290 and a second spring lock bracket 290' that prevent the first ends 260, 260' from moving. In one embodiment, the first spring lock bracket 290 is attached to the first fin 220 and includes a hole 300 disposed therethrough, wherein the first end 260 of the first torsion spring 190 is disposed through the hole 300. Similarly, the second spring lock bracket 290' is attached to the second fin 230 and includes a hole 300' disposed therethrough, wherein the first end 260' of the second torsion spring 190' is disposed through the hole 300'. In one embodiment, the first spring lock bracket 290 and the second spring lock bracket 290' are attached to the first wing 220 and the second wing 230, for example but not limited to, respectively, by a bolt 232 and a nut 242, wherein the bolt 232 is disposed through each of the first spring lock bracket 290 and the second spring lock bracket 290' and each of the corresponding first wing 220 and second wing 230, and is fixed by the nut 242. In other embodiments, the first spring lock bracket 290 and the second spring lock bracket 290' are attached to the first wing 220 and the second wing 230, respectively, by welding, adhesives, or other mechanisms.
[0025] Reference again Figure 7 and Figure 8 In one embodiment, the hood mounting bar 110 is attached to a vehicle hood 320 whose center of gravity is generally disposed within the circle 115 and generates a downward force as indicated by arrow 117. Figure 7 When in the closed position as shown in FIG. , the center of gravity 115 is greater than the vehicle hood 320, for example, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 3. The vehicle hood 320 is pivoted to open, thereby changing the angle 330 measured between the plane 310 and a line 340 disposed through the vehicle hood 320 from Figure 7 The 0° in the Figure 8 With the vehicle hood 320 open, the center of gravity 115 is at a finite non-zero angle 330. Figure 8 The hinge pin 240 moves to the right, thereby reducing the moment of gravity 117 about the hinge pin 240, which reduces the torsional force about the center of gravity of the hinge pin 240.
[0026] Without being bound by theory, one or both of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' can be sized and manufactured with a suitable coil radius and material diameter, made of a suitable material, with a suitable number of turns, and with a suitable spring constant to support the vehicle hood 320 once the hood 320 reaches a predetermined minimum value for the angle 330, which corresponds to a gravity torsional force about the hinge pin 240 that is less than the torsional force supplied by one or both of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190'. However, if the vehicle hood 320 is raised to an angle 330 that is less than the predetermined minimum angle, then upon release, one or both of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' will provide insufficient torsional force to keep the vehicle hood 320 raised, and it will pivot closed.
[0027] For example, in one embodiment, the first torsion spring 190 is adapted to support the vehicle hood 320 when pivotally raised to an angle 330 of about 50° or more relative to the plane 310 of the second bracket 200. In another embodiment, the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' are adapted to support the vehicle hood 320 when pivotally raised to an angle 330 of about 50° or more relative to the plane 310 of the second bracket 200. In either embodiment, when the vehicle hood 320 is raised to an angle 330 below about 50°, the center of gravity 115 of the vehicle hood 320 generates sufficient moment about the hinge pin 240 so that the vehicle hood 320 overcomes the torsional bias of the springs 190, 190' and slowly drops closed.
[0028] In one embodiment, the hood hinge 100 is connected by, for example but not limited to, Fig. 9The assembly method 400 shown in FIG. 4 is easy to manufacture. At step 410, the hood mounting rod 110, the housing tube 120, and the first bracket 150 are welded together into a subassembly 160. At step 420, the self-lubricating bushing 180 is press-fitted into the rubber insulator 170, which is press-fitted into the first end 130 and the second end 140 of the housing tube 120. At step 430, one or both of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' are slid over the first (and second) ends of the housing tube 120, and the second ends 280, 280' are inserted through the first and second holes 270, 270' in the first bracket 150. At step 440, the first and second tabs 220, 230 of the second bracket 200 are positioned on the first and second ends 130, 140 of the housing tube 120, and the hinge pin 240 is inserted through the self-lubricating bushing 180. At step 450, one or both of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190' need to be slightly axially compressed so that the first ends 260, 260' can be inserted into the first slot 250 and the second slot 250', respectively. At step 460, the first spring locking bracket 290 and the second spring locking bracket 290' are attached to the first tab 220 and the second tab 230 on the first ends 260, 260' of the first torsion spring 190 and the second torsion spring 190', respectively. At step 470, the hood hinge 100 assembled so far is attached to the vehicle hood 320 and the vehicle chassis (not shown) to complete the installation.
[0029] Regarding the use of plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art can translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural depending on the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural arrangements may be explicitly listed herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of the words "approximately", "about", "roughly", "substantially", etc. means ±10%. Industrial Applicability
[0030] A hood hinge is provided that is easily assembled from readily available components. The hood hinge can support a vehicle hood in a pivoted position when raised above a predetermined angle and allow the vehicle hood to be closed when raised below the predetermined angle. The hood hinge can be manufactured in industry for use on vehicles purchased by consumers.
[0031] In view of the previous description, many modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is not desirable to limit the present invention to the exact structure and operation shown and described, and therefore, all appropriate modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the present invention may be adopted. Therefore, this specification is understood to illustrate only the principles of the present invention, and the purpose of the present invention is to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and to teach the best mode of implementing the present invention. The exclusive right to all modifications that will fall within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. All patents, patent publications and patent applications described herein, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
1. An engine hood hinge, comprising: hood mounting rod; a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end; a first bracket fixedly connecting the hood mounting rod to the housing tube; a rubber insulator disposed in each of the first end and the second end of the housing tube; A self-lubricating bushing, the self-lubricating bushing being disposed in each of the rubber insulators; a first torsion spring disposed around the housing tube proximate the first end of the housing tube; a second bracket having a base and first and second fins extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively; as well as A hinge pin is disposed through the first and second fins, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube.
2. The hood hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first tab includes a slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the first torsion spring disposed therethrough, and wherein the first bracket includes a first hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the first torsion spring disposed therethrough.
3. The hood hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also included is a first spring lock bracket attached to the first tab and including a second aperture disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the second aperture.
4. The hood hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base of the second bracket defines a plane and is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle chassis, and the hood mounting bar is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle hood.
5. The hood hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first torsion spring is adapted to support the vehicle hood to be pivotally raised to an angle of about 50° or greater relative to the plane of the second bracket.
6. The hood hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first bracket fixedly connects the hood mounting bar to the housing tube by welding to form a first subassembly.
7. The hood hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a second torsion spring disposed about the housing tube proximate the second end of the housing tube.
8. The hood hinge according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first fin includes a first slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed therethrough, the second fin includes a second slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed therethrough, the first bracket includes a first hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the first torsion spring is disposed therethrough, and the first bracket includes a second hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the second torsion spring is disposed therethrough.
9. The hood hinge according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also included are a first spring locking bracket and a second spring locking bracket, wherein the first spring locking bracket is attached to the first wing and includes a third hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the third hole, and wherein the second spring locking bracket is attached to the second wing and includes a fourth hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed through the fourth hole.
10. The hood hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hinge pin includes a bolt and a nut.
11. An engine hood hinge, comprising: hood mounting rod; a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end; a first bracket fixedly connecting the hood mounting bar to the housing tube; a rubber insulator disposed in each of the first end and the second end of the housing tube; A self-lubricating bushing, the self-lubricating bushing being disposed in each of the rubber insulators; a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, wherein the first torsion spring is disposed around the housing tube near the first end of the housing tube, and the second torsion spring is disposed around the housing tube near the second end of the housing tube; a second bracket having a base and first and second fins extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively; as well as A hinge pin is disposed through the first and second fins, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube.
12. The hood hinge according to claim 11, characterized in that The first fin includes a first slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed therethrough, the second fin includes a second slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed therethrough, the first bracket includes a first hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the first torsion spring is disposed therethrough, and the first bracket includes a second hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the second torsion spring is disposed therethrough.
13. The hood hinge according to claim 12, characterized in that Also included are a first spring locking bracket and a second spring locking bracket, wherein the first spring locking bracket is attached to the first wing and includes a third hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the third hole, and wherein the second spring locking bracket is attached to the second wing and includes a fourth hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed through the fourth hole.
14. The hood hinge according to claim 13, characterized in that The base of the second bracket defines a plane and is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle chassis, and the hood mounting bar is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle hood.
15. The hood hinge according to claim 14, characterized in that The first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are adapted to support the vehicle hood to be pivotally raised to an angle of about 50° or greater relative to the plane of the second bracket.
16. The hood hinge according to claim 13, characterized in that The first bracket fixedly connects the hood mounting bar to the housing tube by welding to form a first subassembly.
17. An engine hood hinge, comprising: Welding sub-assemblies including: a hood mounting bar adapted to be fixedly attached to a vehicle hood; a housing tube having a first open end and a second open end; and a first bracket welded to the hood mounting bar and the housing tube; a rubber insulator disposed in each of the first end and the second end of the housing tube; A self-lubricating bushing, the self-lubricating bushing being disposed in each of the rubber insulators; a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, wherein the first torsion spring is disposed around the housing tube near the first end of the housing tube, and the second torsion spring is disposed around the housing tube near the second end of the housing tube; a second bracket having a base and first and second fins extending from the base on the first and second ends of the housing tube, respectively; and a hinge pin disposed through the first and second fins, the self-lubricating bushing, and the housing tube; wherein the first wing includes a first slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed to pass through the first slot, the second wing includes a second slot disposed therethrough, the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed to pass through the second slot, the first bracket includes a first hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the first torsion spring is disposed to pass through the first hole, the first bracket includes a second hole disposed therethrough, the second end of the second torsion spring is disposed to pass through the second hole.
18. The hood hinge according to claim 17, characterized in that Also included are a first spring locking bracket and a second spring locking bracket, wherein the first spring locking bracket is attached to the first wing and includes a third hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the first torsion spring is disposed through the third hole, and wherein the second spring locking bracket is attached to the second wing and includes a fourth hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first end of the second torsion spring is disposed through the fourth hole.
19. The hood hinge according to claim 18, characterized in that The base of the second bracket defines a plane, and the hood mounting bar is adapted to mount a vehicle hood.
20. The hood hinge according to claim 19, characterized in that The first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are adapted to support the vehicle hood to be pivotally raised to an angle of about 50° or greater relative to the plane of the second bracket.