Vehicle Door Hinge Detent Mechanism for Controlled Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle storage bins in rugged terrain vehicles often lack secure and easily accessible doors, risking damage and safety due to uncontrolled opening under gravity, especially when space is limited between vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with a detent assembly that includes a plunger and detent plate, allowing controlled door positions between fully closed and fully open, preventing slamming and enabling partial opening without manual holding, by using a biased plunger assembly to define detent positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a door is made accessible from the exterior for easy access to storage bins, then accessibility is improved, but the door may slam open under gravity causing safety hazards and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidslamming impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system transitions from a static fully-open/fully-closed state to a dynamic system with multiple detent positions. The detent assembly with spring-loaded plungers creates intermediate stable positions at approximately 45度和90度, allowing the door to be held securely at various angles during access operations, preventing uncontrolled slamming while maintaining exterior accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge modifies the rotational parameter of the door by introducing discrete angular positions through the detent mechanism. Instead of continuous rotation, the door is constrained to specific angular positions (closed, partially open at 45度, fully open at 90度) defined by the detent plates and plungers, controlling the door's movement parameters to prevent harmful slamming while enabling safe access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the door is allowed to open fully for access, then accessibility is improved, but control over door position is lost allowing unmanaged movement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddoor position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system transitions from a static fully-open/fully-closed state to a dynamic system with multiple detent positions. The detent assembly with spring-loaded plungers creates intermediate stable positions at approximately 45度和90度, allowing the door to be held securely at various angles during access operations, preventing uncontrolled slamming while maintaining exterior accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge modifies the rotational parameter of the door by introducing discrete angular positions through the detent mechanism. Instead of continuous rotation, the door is constrained to specific angular positions (closed, partially open at 45度, fully open at 90度) defined by the detent plates and plungers, controlling the door's movement parameters to prevent harmful slamming while enabling safe access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If space between vehicles is limited, then vehicle proximity is improved, but door opening requires manual holding creating operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace between vehiclesVSAvoiddoor operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system transitions from a static fully-open/fully-closed state to a dynamic system with multiple detent positions. The detent assembly with spring-loaded plungers creates intermediate stable positions at approximately 45度和90度, allowing the door to be held securely at various angles during access operations, preventing uncontrolled slamming while maintaining exterior accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detent assembly with spring-loaded plungers and detent plates provides automatic position holding without requiring manual intervention. When the door is moved to a detent position, the spring-loaded plunger automatically engages with the detent plate to hold the door in place, eliminating the need for manual holding and simplifying operation in tight spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 hinge system securely manages door positions, preventing impact on people or objects and allowing external access to storage bins without fully opening, enhancing safety and accessibility in tight spaces.

Implementation Method 1

The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess at the detent position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11795747B2Vehicle door hinge

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 RIVIAN HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative hinges, door assemblies, storage bins, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment a hinge includes a hinge bracket, a hinge pin, a hinge arm, and a detent assembly. The hinge arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via the hinge pin. The detent assembly is adapted to define a detent position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket that is between an open position and a closed position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket. The detent assembly includes a detent plate and a plunger assembly. The detent plate includes a recess formed therein. The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess while circumferentially aligned therewith to define the detent position.