Adjustable Vehicle Hood Locking Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle bonnet locking devices are rigid and require adjustment only after the bonnet is closed, necessitating repeated opening and closing for accurate positioning, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A bonnet locking device with adjustable components accessible after vehicle assembly, allowing for adjustment of the bonnet's positioning relative to the vehicle body in the opening/closing axis, with screw/nut assemblies enabling Z and Y-axis adjustments, and accessible from outside the vehicle, even when the bonnet is closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the locking device uses fixed positioning determined at assembly, then the device is rigid and stable, but the bonnet positioning cannot be adjusted after assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of locking deviceVSAvoidadjustability of bonnet positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The second part is made movable relative to the first part through guide slots and adjustment means (screws/nuts), allowing the bonnet positioning to be modified after assembly while maintaining stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is divided into multiple independent parts: a first part fixed to the bonnet, a second part with striker that can move relative to the first part, and adjustment means. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the second part's position while the first part remains fixed, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If adjustment is made after the bonnet is closed, then the adjustment can be performed, but the adjustment operation must be repeated multiple times and is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of adjustmentVSAvoidtime for repeated adjustment operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment means are designed to be accessible from outside the vehicle when the bonnet is closed, allowing the adjustment to be performed in advance before final assembly completion. This eliminates the need to open and close the bonnet repeatedly for adjustment, as the adjustment can be made with the bonnet in its closed position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Guide slots act as an intermediary mechanism that allows the second part to move relative to the first part while maintaining proper alignment. This enables smooth adjustment without requiring the bonnet to be opened and closed repeatedly, reducing time loss and improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the adjustment means are not accessible from outside the vehicle, then the device structure is simple, but the adjustment cannot be performed conveniently after assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of adjustment meansVSAvoidcomplexity of locking device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second part serves multiple functions: it contains the striker for locking, provides adjustment capability through relative movement, and offers accessible adjustment means from outside the vehicle. By combining these functions in a single component, the device achieves improved accessibility without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment means are positioned and oriented such that they can be accessed from outside the vehicle through the guide slots, utilizing the spatial dimension created by the movable second part. This dimensional arrangement allows adjustment accessibility without requiring complex external mechanisms or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1867814B1Adjustable locking device for a vehicle hood
Publication Date: 2008.07.30 RENAULT SA
  • EP1867814B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1867814B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The device (1) has a part (11) interdependent of a bonnet (2), another part with a valve bridge (12) interdependent of a striker (13), and a third part formed by a lock (14) interdependent of a body element (3). The striker is retained when the bonnet is in a closed state by the lock. A relative position of the valve bridge and the striker is adjustable according to the direction of an opening/closing axis (23) and with respect to the part (11) by a nut (150) and a screw (15) that are accessible after the assembly of a vehicle from the vehicle`s exterior (5).