Concealed Hinge Linkage for 180-Degree Vehicle Door Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges do not allow for full unobstructed access to vehicle compartments as they protrude into the opening when doors are fully opened, limiting access to interior spaces.
Innovation Solution
A concealed hinge system with a linkage mechanism that includes a central link, upper link, and lower link, allowing the door to pivot 180° by concealing the linkage within the housing structures when fully opened, minimizing protrusion into the doorway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used, then the hinge structure is simple, but the door cannot provide full unobstructed access to the compartment interior when fully opened
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism is nested within the housing structures, with the linkage components (upper link, lower link, central link) concealed inside the first and second housings. This nesting allows the complex mechanism to be hidden while providing full 180° door opening capability, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism transitions from a simple planar rotation to a three-dimensional linkage system that moves through multiple dimensions. The linkage components move in complex paths within the housing volumes, enabling 180° door opening while keeping the mechanism concealed, thus improving access without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the door opens to 180°, then unobstructed access is provided, but the hinge links protrude into the doorway opening
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism is nested within the housing structures, with the linkage components (upper link, lower link, central link) concealed inside the first and second housings. This nesting allows the complex mechanism to be hidden while providing full 180° door opening capability, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism is extracted from the traditional external hinge position and relocated entirely within the housing structures. By taking the linkage out of the doorway opening area and placing it within the housings, the mechanism provides 180° opening without protruding into the doorway, thus improving access while maintaining clear doorway area.
3Ease of operation
If a linkage mechanism is used to achieve 180° opening, then door opening capability is improved, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism is nested within the housing structures, with the linkage components (upper link, lower link, central link) concealed inside the first and second housings. This nesting allows the complex mechanism to be hidden while providing full 180° door opening capability, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism and housing structures are merged into a single integrated assembly. The first and second housings contain and support the linkage components, combining the structural support function with the motion mechanism function, thus improving door opening capability while managing structural complexity through integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A concealed hinge is described. The concealed hinge may be used in the utility body vehicle market. The concealed hinge includes a first housing. The first housing holds a first pin and a second pin. The concealed hinge includes a second housing. The second housing holds a third pin and a fourth pin. The concealed hinge includes a linkage, which includes a central link, an upper link, and a lower link. The first pin and the second pin engage the first housing to the linkage. The third pin and the fourth pin engage the second housing to the linkage.