Hood Hinge Mounting Structure for Clamshell Gap Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hood mounting structures face challenges in assembling and securing the hood hinges, particularly in clamshell hood designs, where the hinge position outside the fender limits the ability to bolt the hood securely to the vehicle body, and there is difficulty in adjusting gaps and flushes between the hood and the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
The proposed hood mounting structure includes a fender apron upper member with a hood hinge accommodating portion, a flange portion, and engage tool holes, allowing the hinge lower arm to be mounted on the fender apron upper member for easy bolting and adjustment, while the bulk head and 'L'-shaped cross-section enhance strength and collision load path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hinge lower arm mounting part is positioned outside the hood exterior to provide hood panel strength, then the strength of the hood is improved, but bolting for connection between the hinge and the vehicle body becomes impossible when the hood is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The hood hinge is nested within the hood hinge accommodating portion formed on the fender apron upper outer member. The hinge upper arm and hinge lower arm are positioned inside the accommodating portion, allowing the hinge to be securely mounted while maintaining access for bolting operations even when the hood is in the closed position.
2Shape
If the hinge position is moved to the outside of the hood for clamshell hood design, then the exterior appearance is improved, but the ability to bolt the hood securely to the vehicle body is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fender apron upper member is divided into an inner member and an outer member, with the hood hinge accommodating portion formed on the outer member. This segmentation allows the hinge to be positioned optimally for both appearance and secure mounting, while the inner member provides structural support.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hood hinge accommodating portion is formed on the fender apron upper outer member, then the assembly process is simplified, but the structural complexity of the fender apron upper member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hood hinge accommodating portion is integrated into the fender apron upper outer member, combining the functions of hinge mounting and structural support in a single component. The flange portion connects the inner and outer members, while the connecting portion provides the accommodating space, merging multiple functions into one assembled unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A hood mounting structure includes: a fender apron upper member provided along a length direction of a vehicle body; a hood disposed on a front portion of the vehicle body; and a hood hinge including a hinge upper arm connected to a lower part of the hood and a hinge lower arm mounted on a side of the fender apron upper member.