Guide Wire Hinge System for Deformable Stow Box Doors Under Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stow box door hinge systems lack flexibility, leading to excessive load transmission to latching and mounting points, which can result in deformation and failure during dynamic stress conditions such as pitch and roll warping, and are characterized by a high number of parts increasing cost, weight, and assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A deformable guide wire hinge system is employed, comprising a unitary guide wire with a constant diameter and angled portion, integrated into a channel and undercut retention structure, allowing for multiple degrees of freedom and centering of the stow box door without additional fastening hardware, to absorb stresses and maintain door functionality during warping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional piano hinge system is used, then the door can hold loads for normal operation, but the system transmits excessive loads to the latching and mounting points and lacks flexibility during warping
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system transitions from a rigid piano hinge to a dynamic wire hinge assembly that can deform and adapt during warping events. The wire hinges are designed to be flexible and deformable, allowing the system to dynamically respond to pitch and roll warping while maintaining load-holding capability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the hinge system by replacing rigid metal hinges with flexible wire hinges of specific diameter (0.125-0.250 inches). This parameter change enables the hinges to bend and deform during warping, providing the needed flexibility while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a conventional piano hinge system with multiple hardware pieces is used, then the door can be securely attached, but the number of parts increases cost, weight, and assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple separate hinge components into a simplified wire hinge assembly that integrates the hinge function with guide wire and retention features. The wire hinges are attached to the door and housing with minimal hardware (retention clips or rivets), reducing the total part count while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire hinges serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as hinges for door movement, guides for door alignment, and flexible elements for absorbing warping stresses. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If rigid hinge components are used, then the structure is simple, but the hinge system cannot absorb stresses during warping and may experience deformation or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses flexible wire hinges (thin wire structure with diameter 0.125-0.250 inches) instead of rigid hinge components. These wire hinges can bend and deform to absorb stresses during pitch and roll warping, preventing failure while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire hinges are designed to be dynamically deformable during warping events, allowing the simple structure to adapt and absorb stresses that would cause failure in rigid systems. The flexibility is built into the wire construction while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Hinge system (100) comprising one or more a guide wire hinges. In general, the guide wire hinges may be unitary guide wire members (150) having a generally constant diameter. A pair of guide wire hinges may be utilized to hingeably couple a stow box door (120) to the stow box housing (110). The hinge system (100) may be configured to be deformable in response to experiencing warping.