Angled Hinge Door Assembly Reducing Net Tension

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door assemblies face challenges in providing unobstructed ingress and egress due to the tightening of net assemblies when doors are opened, as the increased distance between outer attachment points causes tension, making it difficult for users to access the vehicle interior without detaching the net.

Innovation Solution

A door assembly with a hinge axis angled away from the vertical direction at an acute angle, featuring a gas strut that moves between extended and retracted positions to facilitate opening and closing, allowing the door panel to pivot freely and reducing net tension when opened, ensuring unobstructed access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door assembly uses a conventional vertical hinge axis, then the door can be opened and closed, but the net assembly tightens and creates obstruction making ingress/egress difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ingress and egressVSAvoidnet tension and obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge axis is positioned asymmetrically and angled away from the vertical direction at an acute angle rather than being vertically aligned. This asymmetric positioning changes the arc of door movement, allowing the door to clear the net assembly more effectively and reducing net tension during opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge axis is oriented at an angle away from the vertical direction, introducing a horizontal component to the rotation axis. This dimensional change in the hinge orientation allows the door to pivot in a different plane, clearing the net assembly path and reducing obstruction during door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the door assembly uses a conventional hinge arrangement, then the structure is simple, but the door cannot provide unobstructed access when opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunobstructed accessVSAvoidhinge axis angling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge axis is positioned asymmetrically and angled away from the vertical direction at an acute angle rather than being vertically aligned. This asymmetric positioning changes the arc of door movement, allowing the door to clear the net assembly more effectively and reducing net tension during opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the door assembly includes an angled hinge and gas strut, then smooth operation and reduced net tension are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth door operationVSAvoidgas strut and angled hinge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A gas strut is introduced as an intermediary component between the door assembly and the frame assembly. The gas strut provides controlled mechanical assistance to move the door between open and closed positions, reducing the effort required and ensuring smooth operation while managing the increased complexity through a well-defined auxiliary mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge axis is positioned asymmetrically and angled away from the vertical direction at an acute angle rather than being vertically aligned. This asymmetric positioning changes the arc of door movement, allowing the door to clear the net assembly more effectively and reducing net tension during opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The angled hinge and gas strut mechanism enable smooth door operation, reducing net tension when opened, allowing for easy access and maintaining attachment throughout the opening and closing process, enhancing user convenience and safety.

Implementation Method 1

A gas strut can be connected to the door panel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The gas strut can be in the extended position when the door panel is in the opened position and can be in the retracted position when the door panel is in the closed position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11718159B1Door assembly, vehicle including same, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A door assembly for a vehicle can include a door panel having a front edge and a rear edge pivotably attached along a hinge axis to a frame assembly of the vehicle. The hinge axis can be angled away from a vertical direction of the vehicle at an acute angle. A hinge can be disposed at the rear edge of the door panel. The door panel can be configured to pivot about the hinge axis between an opened position and a closed position. A strut can be connected to the door panel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A net can be attached to the door panel and can be in tension when the door panel is in the closed position and can be in a less tensioned more curved configuration when the door panel is in the opened position.