Vehicle Door Temporary Clamping Mechanism for Repeatable Open-Angle Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door clamping mechanisms are complex, expensive, and require multiple assembly and disassembly steps, leading to deformation and inconsistent torque, making them unsuitable for repeated use during manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A robust and simple temporary clamping mechanism using a pin and E-clip-type cavity system that allows multiple cycles of fixing and releasing a vehicle door without deformation, utilizing a temporary stopper with specific bending stiffness and geometry to maintain torque consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used, then the door can be held open, but the devices require screws and complex assembly that increases manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a clamping arm with clamping teeth, a stopper element, and a hinge assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall assembly time and complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping teeth and stopper elements are pre-positioned on the clamping arm during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the arm is installed on the hinge, the clamping function is immediately available without requiring additional assembly steps or adjustments during installation.
2Reliability
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used, then the door can be held open, but the parts are expensive and must be reused several times requiring removal and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured from common materials. Its simplicity allows it to be disposed of or replaced after a limited number of uses without requiring expensive maintenance, cleaning, or refurbishment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows the clamping arm to be removed and discarded after its service life, while the main hinge assembly can be recovered and reused. This selective discarding approach reduces overall manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need to design for complete reusability of all components.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used, then the door can be held open, but the clipping interface is not tight fit with the pin, making difficult for the hinge to respect the angular characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping teeth are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides a tight, precise fit with the pin at the specific clamping angle. The asymmetric shape ensures that the clamping force is applied exactly where needed to maintain the desired angular characteristic of the hinge, while keeping the overall mechanism simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arm automatically positions itself relative to the pin through its own geometry and the natural motion of the hinge. The asymmetric clamping teeth engage with the pin in a self-aligning manner, providing precise angular control without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or complex positioning systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used, then the door can be held open, but the shapes are too complex, requiring complicated manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm can be manufactured as a thin-walled or lightweight structure that derives its strength from its geometry and the elastic properties of the material. The simple shape allows it to be produced through straightforward manufacturing processes like stamping or extrusion, while still providing sufficient clamping force through its interaction with the pin and stopper element.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is controlled by changing material parameters (such as selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli) or geometric parameters (such as the thickness or cross-section of the clamping arm) rather than by increasing structural complexity. This allows simple shapes to provide the necessary strength and clamping force.
5Stability of the object's composition
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used, then the door can be held open, but after the first maneuver the exterior arm will be plastically deformed and the temporary stopper cannot maintain the same torque for several maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm is designed with sufficient elastic deformation capacity to absorb the initial plastic deformation that occurs during the first maneuver. This beforehand cushioning through elastic compliance allows the arm to yield slightly on first use without permanent damage, after which it maintains consistent torque for multiple subsequent maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism uses composite construction or composite materials that combine different material properties to achieve both initial deformation tolerance and long-term torque consistency. For example, combining elastic and plastic materials, or using layered structures, allows the arm to accommodate first-use deformation while maintaining stable performance thereafter.
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 mechanism provides consistent torque for a predetermined number of cycles, is easy to install and remove, and maintains the door in a fixed position accurately, suitable for use by both humans and robots, with no need for additional painting or repair.
Implementation Method 1
a temporary stopper (5) having a specific bending stiffness... the elasticity and the thickness of the temporary stopper determining the predetermined number of cycles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention discloses a temporary clamping mechanism comprising a hinge, a pin and a temporary stopper having an E-clip-type cavity. The temporary clamping mechanism is configured to allow opening and fixing the door in a predetermined open position at a predetermined angle θ and releasing the door from the predetermined open position in a predetermined number of cycles of fixing and releasing the door. Fixing the door in the predetermined open position is performed by engaging the pin into the E-clip-type cavity using a predetermined opening torque. Releasing the door from the predetermined open position is performed by disengaging the pin from the E-clip-type cavity using a predetermined closing torque.