Vehicle Boot Support Element Rebound Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle trunk door mechanisms are not secure for users due to potential bodily injury from rebounds when the door reaches its maximum open position and cause premature wear of the drive device, as they do not effectively manage the opening process to prevent such incidents.

Innovation Solution

A support element with specific mounting faces and fixing lugs is integrated into the vehicle trunk, allowing it to cooperate with the hinge arm of the trunk door, featuring a deformable design that absorbs the energy and prevents rebounds by stabilizing the door in its fully open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drive device with torsion bars is used to facilitate door opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to rebound shocks causing bodily injury and premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of door openingVSAvoidsecurity and reliability of door opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cushioning element (elastomeric material) that is pre-installed on the articulation arm to absorb rebound energy before it can cause harmful effects. This beforehand cushioning prevents both bodily injury from shocks and premature wear of the drive device while maintaining the facilitation of door opening through the torsion bar mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the trunk door is designed to open to maximum vertical position, then the productivity is improved by maximizing access, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to rebound shocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess efficiencyVSAvoidbodily injury from shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric cushioning element is pre-installed on the articulation arm to absorb the kinetic energy of the door at maximum opening position, preventing rebound shocks that could cause bodily injury while allowing the door to achieve its full vertical opening for maximum access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful rebound energy into beneficial cushioning action by using the elastomeric material to absorb and dissipate the shock energy that occurs when the door reaches its maximum open position, transforming a potentially dangerous phenomenon into a protective mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 support element ensures secure and stable opening of the trunk door by absorbing energy and preventing rebounds, thereby reducing the risk of injury and extending the lifespan of the drive device by maintaining the door in a stable position without premature wear.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3350065B1Motor vehicle boot

Publication Date: 2019.12.25 RENAULT SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a support element (2), notably a bridge, arranged in a boot (1) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising mounting faces (3a, 3b, 3c), notably a first (3a), a second (3b) and a third (3c) mounting faces, one of the mounting faces, notably the first face (3a), being able to cooperate with an arm (11) that articulates a boot lid (1) when it is in the wide open position.