Adjustable Pivot Deck Lid Hinge Insert Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle trunk lid hinges lack effective up/down adjustment mechanisms, leading to complex and costly assembly processes, and insufficient durability under operational loads due to inadequate surface contact and friction between pivot components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating axially dimensioned inserts with radially expanded collars to protect bushings and create a rigid column, allowing the pivot pin to slide within a vertical slot and be securely held, enhancing friction resistance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt-nut pair is used to hold the pivot pin in place, then the pivot pin can be secured, but the bushings will be destroyed as they forcibly engage and rotate against the slot trim edges
Solution Approach 1:
A collar is introduced as an intermediary component between the bushing and the bracket slot. The collar engages with the slot trim edges while protecting the bushing from direct contact and rotation against these edges, thereby preventing bushing destruction while maintaining pivot pin positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot support structure is segmented into separate functional components: the bushing for rotational movement, the collar for engagement with the slot edges, and the pivot pin for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing the bushing from rotating against the slot edges.
2Reliability
If the bolt-nut pair is torqued to hold position based on tensile requirements, then the pivot pin can be secured, but there is not enough friction to hold the joint in place under automotive lid loads
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with a curved or rounded engagement surface that contacts the slot trim edges. This curved geometry increases the surface area for friction engagement and distributes the load, providing sufficient friction resistance to hold the pivot pin in place under automotive lid loads while maintaining positioning stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mechanism with numerous interacting parts is used, then up/down adjustment of the pivot is achieved, but fabrication and assembly are complicated and expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket slot is designed as an elongated opening that allows the pivot pin to move dynamically in the up/down direction during assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability is achieved through a simple slot geometry rather than complex interacting parts, maintaining adaptability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment functionality is extracted from a complex multi-part mechanism and integrated into the basic slot geometry of the bracket. By removing unnecessary intermediate components and relying on the inherent movement capability of the slot, the design achieves up/down adjustment with minimal complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a vertical slot is used to allow pivot pin movement, then up/down adjustment is enabled, but the bolt-nut pair cannot provide adequate surface-to-surface contact to hold the joint in place
Solution Approach 1:
The collar serves as a mediator that creates adequate surface-to-surface contact between the pivot structure and the bracket. It engages with the slot trim edges to provide friction-based holding capability while allowing the pivot pin to move vertically within the slot during assembly, thus achieving both adjustability and positioning stability.
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
Simplifies the assembly process, ensures flush lid mounting, and improves durability by providing adequate surface contact and resistance to compressive loads, reducing component complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the bushings will be destroyed as they forcibly engage and may rotate against the slot trim edges in the bracket
Implementation Method 2
creating a rigid column resisting the large compressive loading that is induced when torquing a bolt-nut pair of a pivot pin
Implementation Method 3
Two bushings are inserted into the aligned holes in the strap, and rotate on a pin, such as a bolt, carried inside a bracket
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.