Elastomeric Damping Stop with Internal Void for Vehicle Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping systems for vehicle door hinges are complex to construct and install, leading to issues like rebounding and premature wear due to inadequate damping of the pivoting motion.
Innovation Solution
A damping stop formed from a block of elastomeric material with a fastening zone, contact zone, and compression zone, including a material void that extends parallel to the hinge shaft, allowing for simple construction and installation without tools, and featuring a male and female part configuration to absorb energy and control pivoting movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing damping devices are used to damp the opening of a closure means, then the rebounding and wear are reduced, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (fastening, damping, and stopping) into a single elastomeric block component. The block integrates the fastening zone for attachment to the hinge shaft, the compression zone containing the material void for damping, and the contact zone for stopping the closure means, eliminating the need for separate damping devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastomeric material's inherent porosity through the material void in the compression zone. This void allows the material to compress and expand, providing effective damping of the closure means' opening motion while maintaining a simple single-piece construction without requiring additional porous components
2Reliability
If existing damping devices are used to damp the opening of a closure means, then the rebounding and wear are reduced, but the installation time and tool requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping stop is designed to be self-installing through forcible insertion into the seat between the first member and hinge shaft. The fastening zone's complementary shape to the seat enables the component to secure itself without requiring external fastening tools or complex installation procedures, significantly reducing installation time and tool requirements while maintaining effective damping performance
3Ease of manufacture
If a single block of elastomeric material is used, then the construction and installation are simplified, but the energy absorption capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating the material void specifically in the compression zone of the elastomeric block. This localized feature enhances energy absorption through compression and expansion of the void space during damping operations, while the rest of the single-piece block structure maintains construction simplicity and ease of manufacture
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 solution effectively dampens the pivoting motion, reducing rebounding and extending the lifespan of the damping stop by allowing for homogeneous compression and controlled rotation, thus simplifying installation and reducing wear on hinge components.
Implementation Method 1
a compression zone formed by a material void in the interior of the block of elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
formed by a block of elastomeric material
Implementation Method 3
the male part engages with friction in the interior of the female part when the second member pivots
Data Source
AI summary
A damping stop for damping the rotation of two members connected by a hinge shaft is formed by a block of elastomeric material. The damping stop includes a fastening zone inserted forcibly into a seat situated between the first member and the hinge shaft, a contact zone that enters into contact with the second member after pivoting thereof around the hinge shaft in the direction of the first member, and a compression zone formed by a material void in the interior of the block of elastomeric material. The material void extends over the entire length of the damping stop in a direction parallel to the hinge shaft when the damping stop is inserted into the seat. The damping stop is used in a hinge of a vehicle.