Vehicle Door Hinge Assembly Template with Geometric Referencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling upper and lower hinges on vehicle doors in automotive production lines face challenges such as complex locking mechanisms, weight assistance requirements, and the need for major retouching operations to achieve good geometry, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, easy-to-handle template device with support and clamping means, including a hook for positioning and Y-shaped bearing surfaces for geometric referencing and clamping, allows precise alignment and fixation of upper and lower hinges without requiring extensive manual effort or complex machinery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a manual jig with multiple locking mechanisms is used to position hinges, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge positioning precisionVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into separate functional elements: the template provides geometric reference, while individual clamping means are distributed at specific locations. This segmentation allows each element to perform its function simply without requiring a complex integrated locking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The template itself provides the geometric reference and positioning function through its designed features (lug, support surfaces), eliminating the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms. The clamping means simply secure the template in place rather than actively positioning components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If a self-supporting jig with multiple clamping cylinders is used, then hinge clamping stability is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge clamping stabilityVSAvoidassembly device weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy self-supporting structure and multiple clamping cylinders are removed from the system. Instead, a lightweight template is used that relies on the vehicle door structure itself for support, with only essential clamping means retained for securing the hinge during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The template acts as an intermediary element that transfers positioning information from the geometric reference system to the hinge, rather than using a heavy self-supporting jig that must actively maintain positioning through its own structure and multiple actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If geometric referencing means are used to precisely position hinges, then assembly geometry is improved, but retouching operations are still required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor assembly geometryVSAvoidretouching operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The template is designed with pre-integrated geometric reference features (lug, support surfaces, positioning holes) that establish accurate hinge positioning before assembly begins. This preliminary geometric setup ensures that hinges are correctly positioned from the start, eliminating the need for subsequent retouching operations to correct geometric errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2303512B1Device for assembling upper and lower hinges on a vehicle door
Publication Date: 2012.09.05 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2303512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2303512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2303512B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device of the invention is made in the form of a template that comprises the following means in combination: bearing and tightening means (41) for positioning the template onto the vehicle door; a template holding means (44) in the form of a hook for urging the template in the X direction; a means (42) for geometric referencing in X, Y, Z and for clamping the upper hinge onto the template; and a means (43) for geometric referencing in X, Y, Z and for clamping the lower hinge onto the template. The invention can be used in the automotive industry for mounting automobile doors, and for mounting hinges of automobile doors.