Integral Foldable Hook with Live Hinge for Vehicle Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hook arrangements in vehicle interiors either occupy unnecessary space as rigid components or require multiple parts for a fold-in/fold-out design, increasing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
An integral hook arrangement featuring a single-piece design with a live hinge connecting the hook element and base, allowing pivoting from a stowed to an operating position, and utilizing a stop element to limit the opening angle without additional components, enabling simple manufacturing and mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a rigid single-part hook arrangement is used, then the hook is stable and simple to manufacture, but it occupies unnecessary space in the vehicle interior when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The hook element is designed to be movable relative to the base element through a live hinge connection, allowing it to pivot between a retracted position (parallel to the base) and an extended operating position. This dynamic configuration enables the hook to occupy minimal space when not in use while providing full accessibility when needed, resolving the contradiction between space occupation and ease of operation.
2Volume of moving object
If a multi-component fold-in/fold-out hook arrangement is used, then the hook can be folded away to save space, but the number of parts and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hook element and base element are connected as a single integral component through a live hinge, eliminating the need for separate pivot axes, mounting brackets, and fastening elements found in traditional multi-component designs. This merging of components maintains the fold-in functionality for space saving while significantly reducing the number of parts and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The live hinge is implemented as a thin, flexible connection within the integral component structure, allowing the hook element to pivot smoothly between positions. This flexible connection enables the fold-in functionality without requiring additional mechanical components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining space-saving capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If a live hinge is used to enable folding, then the hook can be folded away to save space, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the live hinge directly into the single-piece construction of the hook element and base element, the pivot axis is automatically aligned during the molding process. This eliminates the need for separate alignment and assembly operations required in multi-component designs, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while enabling the folding functionality for space saving.
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
This solution reduces the number of parts and production costs, provides a space-saving, reliable, and user-adjustable hook system with multiple operating positions, and can be easily integrated into vehicle trim components.
Implementation Method 1
A live hinge is here designed as a single piece with the two adjoining parts which are to be moved. By virtue of a linear thinned portion or an incision, pivotability about the linear thinned portion as an axis of pivoting is enabled.
Data Source
AI summary
An integral hook arrangement for hanging accessories in a vehicle interior, has at least one hook element and an integral hook base. The integral hook base is designed as a single piece with the or each hook element and is connected pivotably via at least one live hinge such that the or each hook element can pivot from a folded-in stowed position into a folded-out operating position with an opening angle. The integral hook arrangement here has a stop element, wherein a removable abutment and/or engagement is or can be formed between the integral hook base and the or each hook element in order to limit the opening angle in the folded-out operating position.