Vehicle Door Hinge Covers for Debris Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle door hinges are exposed when doors are removed, leading to potential damage from debris and an aesthetically undesirable appearance, necessitating a solution to cover and protect these components.

Innovation Solution

A door hinge cover designed to surround and fasten to the vehicle's pillars, providing a protective covering for the hinges when the doors are removed, with customizable materials and shapes to fit various hinge configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If door hinges are left exposed after door removal, then ease of operation for door removal is maintained, but protection from environmental damage and aesthetic appearance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental damageVSAvoidadditional cover components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A hinge cover acts as an intermediary component between the exposed hinge and the environment. The cover body with opening receives the hinge, and the cover closure element seals the opening to protect the hinge from environmental damage while maintaining the ability to remove and reinstall doors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If hinge covers are added to protect exposed hinges, then protection from environmental damage improves, but device complexity and installation requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from debrisVSAvoidinstallation and removal process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge cover is segmented into two main components: a cover body with an opening that receives the hinge, and a separate cover closure element. This segmentation allows the cover to be installed by first placing the cover body over the hinge, then securing it with the closure element, simplifying the installation process while providing complete protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hinge covers completely enclose the hinges, then protection from environmental damage maximizes, but access for maintenance and future door reinstallation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental damageVSAvoidaccess for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge cover system is designed to be dynamic rather than permanent. The cover closure element can be opened and closed, and the entire cover can be removed and reinstalled, providing full protection during normal operation while allowing easy access for maintenance and door reinstallation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11920391B2Hinge covers for exposed vehicle door hinges

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 DEE ZEE INC

AI summary

A door hinge sized and configured to cover at least one door hinge of a vehicle includes a cover body that at least partially surrounds the at least one door hinge when connected to a pillar of the vehicle. The cover body includes fastening locations that are located to align with fastening location on the pillar for fastening the hinge cover in place.