Automotive Door Hinge Inductive Power for Removable Doors

Solution Overview

Problem

Removable doors in off-road vehicles often require disconnecting body electrical connectors, which are prone to damage and contamination, compromising the functionality of electrical components like power windows, locks, and lights.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power connection using inductive coils at the vehicle body and door hinges to transfer power inductively, eliminating the need for physical connections and ensuring continuous operation of door components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If body electrical connectors are disconnected to remove doors, then door removal is enabled, but connector damage and contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor removabilityVSAvoidconnector integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connector system with an inductive power transfer system using coils. The body side coil and door side coil create a magnetic field that transfers power wirelessly, eliminating physical electrical connectors and their associated damage and contamination issues while maintaining power supply to door components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces inductive coils as an intermediary between the vehicle body and door. The coils act as a mediator that transfers energy through magnetic coupling without requiring direct physical contact between electrical connectors, thus protecting the connectors from damage and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If body electrical connectors are disconnected to remove doors, then door removal is enabled, but electrical functionality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor removabilityVSAvoidelectrical component functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connector system with an inductive power transfer system using coils. The body side coil and door side coil create a magnetic field that transfers power wirelessly, eliminating physical electrical connectors and their associated damage and contamination issues while maintaining power supply to door components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inductive power transfer system maintains continuous power supply to door components throughout the door removal and reattachment process. The magnetic coupling between coils remains active, ensuring uninterrupted electrical functionality for power windows, locks, mirrors, and lights without requiring connector disconnection or reconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If physical electrical connectors are used, then power transfer is reliable, but connector damage and contamination occur during door removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidconnector contamination and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connector system with an inductive power transfer system using coils. The body side coil and door side coil create a magnetic field that transfers power wirelessly, eliminating physical electrical connectors and their associated damage and contamination issues while maintaining power supply to door components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces inductive coils as an intermediary between the vehicle body and door. The coils act as a mediator that transfers energy through magnetic coupling without requiring direct physical contact between electrical connectors, thus protecting the connectors from damage and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables seamless power transfer to door components during removal and reattachment, preventing connector damage and contamination, while maintaining electrical functionality.

Implementation Method 1

providing a first electrical current to a first inductive coil disposed at a first hinge member fixedly coupled to a body of the vehicle, inductively coupling the first inductive coil to a second inductive coil positioned at a second hinge member fixedly coupled to a door to induce a second electrical current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250361756A1Method and system for powering components at a door of an automotive vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a body, a door and a hinge rotatably coupling the body and the door. The hinge has a first inductive coil and a second inductive coil adjacent to the first inductive coil. A load is coupled within the door and is electrically coupled to the second inductive coil.