Vehicle Extrication Door System with Consumable Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle extrication training simulators are inadequate for providing high-repetition, cost-effective, and easily reset practice in simulating the opening of a vehicle door after an accident, as they often require costly and complex hydraulic equipment and lack realistic deformation and replacement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle extrication door system comprising a first and second support, consumable pieces with aligned openings, a connector, and a compound hinge, allowing for realistic deformation and easy replacement, which can be used with hydraulic spreaders and cutters to mimic the experience of opening a damaged vehicle door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic extrication equipment is used to force open damaged vehicle doors, then the door can be opened effectively, but the equipment is costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of a vehicle door assembly that replicates the essential features (door, frame, latch mechanism) without requiring a full-scale vehicle door. This allows training on realistic door extrication techniques using smaller, less expensive equipment while maintaining operational fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly uses consumable components (door, frame, latch mechanism) that can be easily replaced after use. These inexpensive, disposable parts allow for repeated training exercises without the need to maintain or reset complex equipment, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
2Reliability
If hydraulic extrication equipment is used to force open damaged vehicle doors, then the door can be opened effectively, but the equipment is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly uses consumable components (door, frame, latch mechanism) that can be easily replaced after use. These inexpensive, disposable parts allow for repeated training exercises without the need to maintain or reset complex equipment, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is divided into separate, modular components (door, frame, latch mechanism) that can be independently manufactured and replaced. This segmentation allows for cost-effective production using simple fabrication methods rather than requiring expensive integrated hydraulic systems.
3Ease of operation
If traditional vehicle doors are used for training, then realistic door opening practice can be provided, but resetting and repetition are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly uses consumable components that are discarded after use and replaced with fresh components for the next training exercise. This allows unlimited repetition of realistic door extrication training without the time-consuming process of resetting or repairing damaged door mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is divided into separate, modular components (door, frame, latch mechanism) that can be independently manufactured and replaced. This segmentation allows for cost-effective production using simple fabrication methods rather than requiring expensive integrated hydraulic systems.
4Productivity
If consumable pieces are used in the door system, then easy replacement and high repetition training is enabled, but the initial setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into separate, modular components (door, frame, latch mechanism) that can be independently manufactured and replaced. This segmentation allows for simple assembly using basic fasteners and minimizes the complexity of the overall system while enabling easy replacement of consumable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly components are designed with standardized features (aligned openings, universal connector interface) that allow the same basic structure to be used for multiple training scenarios. This universality reduces setup complexity while maintaining high repetition capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle extrication door system that is a training simulator used to simulate opening the door of a vehicle that has been involved in an accident. The system comprises two supports, two consumable pieces, a first connector, and a compound hinge. Each support can have a proximate end, a distal end, an interior surface and an exterior surface, and each consumable piece can have an opening. The proximate end of the first support supports the first consumable piece, and the proximate end of the second support supports the second consumable piece. The opening of the first consumable piece aligns with the opening of the second consumable piece on the same horizontal axis and the first connector then passes through the openings of the consumable pieces and secures the first consumable piece to the second consumable piece. The first support is moveable between an open and a closed position.