Motor Vehicle Hood Hinge Assembly for Precise Edge Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hood assembly adjustments for motor vehicles are difficult near lateral ends due to reduced accessibility, compromising precision and simplicity of hinge positioning.

Innovation Solution

A hood assembly with a sleeve and threaded locking nuts allows precise adjustment and secure fastening of hinges near lateral ends by using a sleeve inserted in a hole on the vehicle structure, enabling adjustment along multiple axes with infinite precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hole for fastening the hinge is positioned near the lateral ends of the motor vehicle to reserve intermediate zones for other devices, then the adaptability and space utilization are improved, but the accessibility for adjusting the hinge position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a pin with radial clearance for horizontal adjustment, spacers for vertical adjustment, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted independently, enabling precise positioning even in hard-to-reach areas where the hole is located near lateral ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element between the hinge and the hole. By allowing radial clearance and movement within the hole, the pin mediates the connection, enabling adjustment of the hinge position both horizontally and vertically without requiring direct access to the hole for repositioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the hinge position is adjusted with high precision to minimize visible empty spaces, then the manufacturing precision and aesthetics are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism transforms a static connection into a dynamic one. The pin can move radially within the hole, and spacers can be added or removed, allowing the hinge position to be dynamically adjusted to achieve precise alignment. This dynamic adjustment capability enables high manufacturing precision even when the hole is in a hard-to-reach location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment components (pin with clearance, spacers) are pre-configured to enable precise positioning. The pin is designed with radial clearance from the start, and spacers are prepared in advance, allowing the operator to make precise adjustments without requiring complex tools or extensive access to the adjustment location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the pin is allowed to move radially inside the hole for horizontal adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the hinge position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is pre-configured to secure the pin in the desired position after adjustment. Once the hinge is positioned correctly through radial movement of the pin, the locking mechanism engages to prevent any further movement, ensuring the stability of the adjusted position while maintaining ease of adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4212415B1Hood assembly for a motor vehicle and process for the mounting thereof
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 FERRARI SPA
  • EP4212415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212415B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212415B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A hood assembly for a motor vehicle (1) includes a hood (8), a hinge (11) with a first arm (12), and a pin (15) fixed to the first arm (12) in a projecting manner along a mounting axis (X) and a second arm (13) of the hood (8) hinged to the first arm (12) around a hinge axis (H), a structural member (10) fixed to the pin (15) and provided with a hole (16) axially receiving the pin (15) along the mounting axis (X), wherein the hinge axis (H) and the mounting axis (X) lie respectively on a first plane and on a second plane parallel to one another, and wherein a projection of the hinge axis (H) onto the second plane is orthogonal to the mounting axis (X) .