Vehicle Hood Hinge Stop Tab Strength and Fender Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hood hinge assemblies have a stop tab integrally formed with the hinge arm, resulting in reduced strength, and lack a mechanism to effectively support the fender while limiting the hinge arm's movement.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a support bracket featuring a stop tab that prevents the hinge arm from moving beyond the fully open position, while also supporting the fender, is designed. The support bracket is fixed to the vehicle body structure, and the hinge arm is movably connected, allowing the hood to transition between closed and fully open positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stop tab is integrally formed with the hinge arm as a one-piece member, then the hinge arm configuration is simplified, but the strength of the hinge arm is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the hinge assembly into separate components: the hinge arm and the stop tab are no longer integrally formed but are instead separate members. The stop tab is detachably connected to the hinge arm, allowing each component to be optimized independently for strength while maintaining functional integration during operation.
2Strength
If the stop tab is separately connected to the hinge arm, then the hinge arm strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the stop tab with the hinge arm through detachable connection, creating a unified functional assembly during operation. The stop tab and hinge arm work together as an integrated mechanism for limiting hood movement, while allowing separate manufacturing and assembly for strength optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support bracket and fender support are separately connected, then the support bracket can independently support the fender, but the overall structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tab is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the movement limit stop for the hinge arm and as the support structure for the fender. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support components, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining independent support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hood hinge assembly for a vehicle hood includes a support bracket and a hinge arm. The support bracket is configured to be fixed to a vehicle body structure. The hinge arm is movably connected to the support bracket. The hinge arm is movable about a pivot axis between a first position in which the vehicle hood is closed and a second position in which the vehicle hood is fully open. A stop tab is connected to the support bracket. The stop tab prevents movement of the hinge arm beyond the second position.