Vehicle Bonnet Hinge with Translational Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bonnet hinge arrangements for vehicles are heavy, complex, and require large packaging volume, making them expensive and difficult to mount, while also failing to effectively manage collisions and aesthetics, particularly in frontal impacts where the bonnet may intrude into the windshield and pose risks to vulnerable road users.
Innovation Solution
A hinge arrangement with a first hinge member attached to the vehicle body and a second hinge member attached to the bonnet, featuring a pivot pin and a forward-protruding portion with a lower edge guiding a combined translational and pivotal displacement, allowing for a controlled and preselectable opening mechanism that reduces clearance between the bonnet and the vehicle body, enhances collision resistance, and optimizes the pivot axis location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hinge arrangements are used, then the bonnet can be opened, but the hinge arrangement becomes heavy and complex with large packaging volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hinge members into a single integrated hinge member with a specific geometric shape, merging the functions of multiple components into one element that provides both pivotal and translational displacement capabilities, thereby reducing overall complexity and packaging volume
Solution Approach 2:
The single hinge member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides pivotal displacement for bonnet opening, translational displacement for controlled movement, and structural support for collision resistance, eliminating the need for separate components for each function
2Ease of operation
If the pivot axis is located below the flush-mating fender, then the bonnet can be hinged, but a clearance of 2-8 mm is required which disturbs visual impression and allows precipitation entry
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is designed to provide controlled translational displacement during bonnet opening, dynamically adjusting the bonnet position to achieve the desired clearance reduction while maintaining proper hinged connection functionality throughout the opening motion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces translational displacement in addition to pivotal displacement, adding a dimensional aspect to the hinge motion that allows the pivot axis to be positioned more forward while still avoiding conflict with the flush-mating fender, thereby eliminating the need for excessive clearance
3Device complexity
If the hinge arrangement is simplified, then weight and packaging volume are reduced, but collision force transfer capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is pre-designed with specific geometric features and material properties that enable it to withstand and transfer collision forces, with the shape and structure optimized in advance to provide both strength and simplified construction
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge member may be constructed from materials or material combinations that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the simplified single-component design to maintain collision resistance while reducing overall weight
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hinge arrangement (16, 16', 16") for a bonnet (12) of a vehicle (10). The hinge arrangement comprises a first hinge member (24) adapted to be attached, directly or indirectly, to a body (20) of the vehicle (10), a second hinge member (26) adapted to be attached, directly or indirectly, to the bonnet, and a pivot pin (36). The first hinge member and the second hinge member are pivotally connected to each other by the pivot pin providing a hinged connection. The first hinge member comprises a first portion (42) protruding in a forward direction. A lower edge (44) of the first portion is adapted to guide a displacement of the second hinge member during an initial phase of opening the bonnet, the displacement being a combination of a translational displacement having at least a forward component of the second hinge member in relation to the first hinge member and a pivotal displacement of the second hinge member in relation to the first hinge member around the pivot pin. The disclosure further relates to a bonnet arrangement (68) and a vehicle (10) comprising such a hinge arrangement.