Vehicle Hinge Fastening Section Axial Displacement for Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hinges fail to provide a lightweight, cost-effective solution with sufficient deformation paths, often leading to failure and detachment during accidents due to excessive forces, and previous solutions either introduce additional weight or require extensive installation space.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a hinge element with a fastening section that can displace relative to the vehicle body shell after a load limit is exceeded, utilizing a sleeve and nut system that distributes forces over a larger area, allowing for deformation compensation without detachment, and incorporating a press fit or safety bolt for non-positive connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge is reinforced by using more material, then the strength and reliability of the hinge is improved, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a deformation element that can dynamically change its structure under load. The connecting part includes a deformation element with a first configuration under normal conditions and a second configuration under excessive load, allowing the hinge to adapt its stiffness and strength based on operational requirements. This dynamic transformation enables the hinge to maintain reliability during normal operation while avoiding unnecessary weight reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge utilizes material parameter changes through controlled deformation. The deformation element is designed to undergo plastic deformation when excessive load is applied, changing its physical state from elastic to plastic. This parameter change allows the hinge to absorb impact energy through controlled material deformation rather than requiring additional material mass, thus maintaining reliability without increasing weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a deformation element is added to the hinge, then the deformation path and energy absorption capability are improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation element is merged with the connecting part of the hinge, forming an integrated structure rather than a separate component. The deformation element is designed as part of the connecting part's geometry, allowing it to deform in a controlled manner during impact events. This merging eliminates the need for additional separate deformation components, thereby avoiding extra weight and manufacturing complexity while still providing the necessary deformation path for energy absorption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge structure is made more complex to provide sufficient deformation path, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation capability is concentrated in a specific local area of the hinge rather than distributed throughout the entire structure. The deformation element is positioned at a localized region of the connecting part where controlled deformation occurs during impact. This local quality approach allows sufficient deformation path for energy absorption while keeping the overall hinge structure compact, avoiding the need for extensive installation space.
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 design enables the hinge to absorb large deformations without failing, maintaining the connection to the vehicle body shell, thus preventing unintended release of access openings and allowing for a lighter, less expensive construction while ensuring safety and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting element is fastened in a sleeve which can be displaced axially relative to the body part or the vehicle body shell, the sleeve in a sleeve attached to the body part or the vehicle body specified nut out and the sleeve is positively connected to the body part, the vehicle body or the nut, wherein the frictional connection is canceled after the load limit is exceeded
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Hinge 1 for a pivotable body part 4 of a vehicle, comprising at least one hinge element 2 with a fastening section 2a for fixing the hinge element 2 to the body part 4 or a vehicle body 5 by means of at least one connecting element 6, 7 or 8 and with a joint section 2b for articulated connection with a further hinge element 3 of the hinge 1, wherein the fastening section 2a of the hinge element 2, after exceeding a load limit, is displaceable relative to the body part 4 and/or the vehicle body 5 without detaching from it.