Vehicle Hood Coupling Deformable Retainer Impact Limit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle hoods lack effective movement-limiting features during impacts, particularly to prevent rearward and cross-direction movement that could damage the windshield.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle compartment cover coupling with a deformable portion that engages a striker member to limit hood movement, utilizing a retaining coupling with a deformable portion that plastically deforms to restrict movement in predetermined directions, integrated into the existing hinge assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid coupling is used to connect the hood to the vehicle body, then the hood can move freely between open and closed positions, but the hood cannot be effectively limited in movement during impacts, causing potential damage to the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system with a deformable portion that changes its mechanical properties based on impact conditions. During normal operation, the coupling remains rigid to maintain structural integrity, but during impact, the deformable portion yields to allow controlled movement and energy absorption, effectively limiting hood movement while preserving normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable portion of the coupling changes its physical state or properties under impact loading. The material or structural configuration is designed to deform at specific stress thresholds, transforming the coupling's mechanical characteristics from rigid to compliant, thereby limiting hood movement during impact while maintaining freedom of movement during normal operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If no movement-limiting feature is provided, then the hood coupling structure remains simple, but the hood moves excessively during impact, causing damage to the windshield and compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid portion for structural support and a deformable portion for impact management. This segmentation allows the rigid portion to maintain coupling integrity while the deformable portion specifically addresses impact limitations, effectively reducing harmful hood movement without requiring complete redesign of the entire coupling structure
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable portion acts as an intermediary element between the rigid coupling components. It mediates the force transmission during impact by deforming in a controlled manner, absorbing energy and limiting hood movement while protecting the rigid structural components from excessive stress
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
Effectively minimizes and inhibits hood movement in rearward and cross-directions during impacts, reducing the risk of damage to the windshield and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The second member includes a deformable portion that plastically deforms in the event of a vehicle collision
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle compartment cover coupling that moveably couples a vehicle compartment cover to a main body of a vehicle for movement of the vehicle compartment cover between an open position and a closed position. The cover coupling includes a first member that is coupled to the main body of the vehicle. The cover coupling further includes a second member that is coupled to the vehicle compartment cover, wherein the second member is moveably coupled to the first member. The vehicle compartment cover coupling further includes a retaining coupling that is operable to engage the first and second members together during a vehicle impact condition. The retaining coupling engages the first and second members to limit movement of the compartment cover in a first predetermined direction during the vehicle impact condition. The retaining coupling further includes a deformable portion configured and positioned to deform in a second predetermined direction during the impact to limit movement of the vehicle compartment cover in the first direction.