Vehicle Ceiling Flap Hinge Opening Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for pivotable ceiling flaps in vehicles occupy significant installation space, reducing the available space for other technical equipment in the ceiling area.
Innovation Solution
The ceiling assembly integrates a hinge function into the carrier device, where the hinge opening serves as a pivot joint for the ceiling flap, allowing the flap to be stored directly on the carrier and reducing the number of components needed, thus saving installation space by using a rounded cross-sectional hinge opening and a thickened edge for the axis of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used for pivotable mounting of the ceiling flap, then the ceiling flap can be opened and closed, but the installation space in the ceiling area is significantly occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge function is merged with the support device by integrating a hinge opening directly into the support device structure. The support device thus serves dual purposes: holding electrical components and providing the pivot joint for the ceiling flap, eliminating the need for a separate hinge component and reducing installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mounting structure for electrical components (such as light sources and passenger information systems) and as a hinge element for the ceiling flap. This universal design reduces the total number of components and optimizes ceiling space utilization.
2Reliability
If a conventional hinge with inner and outer parts is used, then the ceiling flap can be securely mounted, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-part hinge structure is extracted and replaced by a simplified design where the support device itself forms the hinge. The hinge opening is directly integrated into the support device, eliminating the need for separate inner and outer hinge parts while maintaining secure mounting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge components are merged into the support device structure. The support device incorporates the hinge opening directly, combining the functions of support and pivoting into a single integrated component, thereby reducing the total number of parts while ensuring reliable ceiling flap mounting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ceiling module (8, 66) for a vehicle (2, 64), which comprises a pivotally mounted ceiling flap (12) for covering a ceiling opening (22), and a carrier device (10) for holding one or more electrical components (44, 46). In order to save space in the vehicle (2, 64), the carrier device (10) comprises a lateral wall (42) having a hinge opening (48) on which the ceiling flap (12) is pivotally mounted.