Adjustable Hood Striker Structure With Stable Rotation Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hood strikers have issues with component complexity, torque variation, and manufacturing cost, making height adjustment difficult and prone to fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A striker design with a plate-shaped base, a rod-shaped screw member, and an L-shaped hook, featuring a female thread portion integrated with the hook body, a washer with a larger diameter than the flange-shaped part, and a cone washer to stabilize the screw member's rotation, reducing component count and torque fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conventional hood striker uses multiple components (receiving plate, rivet nut, screw member, support ring, safety ring) to enable height adjustment, then the height adjustment function is achieved, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components into an integrated structure. The receiving plate and positioning plate are merged into a single base component, and the screw member is integrated with the hook to form a unified adjustable assembly. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining the height adjustment function through the integrated screw and hook structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base component serves multiple functions: it acts as the receiving plate for mounting, provides positioning holes for alignment, and supports the screw member for height adjustment. The screw member itself functions both as a fastening element and as the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the conventional hood striker simply sandwiches the distal end of the horizontal portion between the support ring and safety ring to allow rotation, then the structure is simple, but the torque varies significantly and fluctuates between products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation mechanism structureVSAvoidtorque consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a washer and a cushioning member (elastic element) between the base and the screw member's flange. These components pre-compress to provide consistent mechanical coupling and absorb variations in assembly tolerances, ensuring uniform torque transmission across all products before the adjustment mechanism is operated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The washer and cushioning member act as intermediary elements between the rigid base and the screw member. These intermediaries compensate for manufacturing variations and provide a consistent interface that stabilizes torque, preventing the fluctuations that occur with direct metal-to-metal contact in the conventional design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the conventional hood striker uses a simple sandwich structure for the screw member rotation, then manufacturing is easier, but the torque becomes large and height adjustment work becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation mechanism manufacturingVSAvoidheight adjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning member serves as a mediator that reduces friction and mechanical binding between the screw member and the base. This intermediary element allows the screw member to rotate more freely with reduced torque requirement, making height adjustment easier while still maintaining secure fastening when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic cushioning member is pre-installed to provide consistent compliance in the rotation path. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the adjustment operation requires less force by preventing binding and reducing the peak torque needed during the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the conventional hood striker uses multiple separate components, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the receiving plate and positioning plate into a single stamped or formed base component, reducing part count and assembly steps. The screw member and hook are integrated into a single piece, eliminating the need for separate fastening and engagement components. This merging reduces manufacturing cost through fewer parts to produce, inventory, and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12534942B2Striker

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 AOYAMA SEISAKUSHO CO LTD

AI summary

A hood striker 1 includes: a plate-shaped base 2 for fixation to a hood of an automobile; a rod-shaped screw member 3 in which a male thread portion 12 is formed at a distal end side, the rod-shaped screw member 3 being disposed perpendicular to a plate surface of the base 2; and an L-shaped hook 4 in which an inserting portion 19 to be slidably inserted into a hook insertion hole 10 drilled in the base 2 is formed at one end, the L-shaped hook 4 including a female thread portion 18 screwed with the male thread portion 12 of the screw member 3 at an other end. A base end of the screw member 3 is rotatably fastened to the base 2.