Ice-Breaking Hinge Assemblies for Vehicle Closures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ice formations on vehicle closure members can cause damage when attempting to open them during inclement weather, as existing technologies do not effectively address the issue of ice removal.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an icebreaker flange into the hinge assembly, which includes a platform and blade portion with a cutting edge, designed to break through ice formations as the closure member is pivoted, either as a single monolithic part or separate component, to prevent damage during opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional hinge assembly is used without ice-breaking features, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is low, but ice formations can damage the closure member during opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidhinge assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The icebreaker flange is integrated with the closure member mounting plate to form a monolithic structure, combining the mounting function and ice-breaking function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate ice-breaking devices while maintaining damage prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The icebreaker flange is positioned to contact and break ice formations before the closure member opening action completes, preventing ice damage in advance. The flange extends below the mounting plate to engage ice that has formed at the interface between the closure member and vehicle body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an icebreaker flange is added as a separate component, then ice formations can be broken effectively, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice formation breakingVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The icebreaker flange and closure member mounting plate are formed as a single monolithic part through stamping or molding processes, integrating the ice-breaking function directly into the existing mounting structure without adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The monolithic mounting plate-flange structure performs multiple functions: it mounts the closure member to the vehicle body and simultaneously breaks ice formations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated ice-breaking components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the icebreaker flange is designed as a monolithic part with the mounting plate, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but design flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the blade portion extends beneath both mounting plates, then ice formations at the interface are effectively broken, but the risk of interference with the hinge pin or vehicle body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice formation breakingVSAvoidpotential interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade portion is positioned specifically at the interface where ice formations occur, with the cutting edge oriented to break ice while clearing the hinge pin and vehicle body areas. The flange geometry is optimized to target ice locations without creating interference zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The icebreaker flange effectively breaks through ice formations, reducing the likelihood of damage to the closure member and ensuring smooth operation even in icy conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an icebreaker flange configured to break an ice formation as the closure member mounting plate is pivoted relative to the vehicle body mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10890022B2Ice-breaking hinge assemblies for vehicle closure members

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to hinge assemblies for securing closure members to a vehicle body. Exemplary hinge assemblies may include icebreaker features for breaking through ice formations that can form on the closure members. The icebreaker features are configured to break through the ice formations as the closure members are moved.