Integrated Inertial Lock Friction Hinge for Impact-Safe Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction hinges and inertial locks in automotive compartment closures require separate mechanisms, leading to increased package size, complexity, and cosmetic disadvantages, while failing to meet safety standards under impact loads.
Innovation Solution
An inertial lock friction hinge system combining a shaft assembly and friction assembly with a restraining component that transitions between unlocked and locked conditions based on gravitational and impact forces, eliminating the need for separate latches and providing both frictional torque and inertial locking functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate friction hinge and inertial lock mechanisms are used, then safety standards are met and frictional torque is provided, but package size increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the friction hinge and inertial lock mechanisms into a single integrated assembly. The friction hinge includes a hinge body with a friction element and an inertial lock mechanism that shares common components such as the hinge pin and housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanisms while maintaining both frictional torque and inertial locking functions, thereby reducing package size and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides frictional torque to hold the compartment closure open, acts as an inertial lock to prevent opening under impact loads, and eliminates the need for separate latches. The friction element and inertial lock mechanism work together within a single hinge structure, making the system universal and multi-functional.
2Reliability
If separate friction hinge and inertial lock mechanisms are used, then safety standards are met and frictional torque is provided, but device complexity increases and assembly becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the friction hinge and inertial lock into a single integrated assembly with shared components. The hinge body, hinge pin, and housing are common to both mechanisms, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly. The friction element and inertial lock mechanism are positioned to work together within the same structural framework.
3Reliability
If traditional inertial locks are used, then safety standards are met under impact loads, but cosmetic disadvantages occur and package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial lock mechanism is integrated within the hinge assembly rather than being a separate component. This merging allows the inertial lock to be positioned in a space-efficient manner that does not protrude or create cosmetic issues, while still providing the required safety function under impact loads.
4Reliability
If separate latch and friction hinge are used, then compartment closure is secured, but ease of operation decreases and one-hand operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate latch mechanism from the system, extracting only the essential frictional holding function through the friction element in the hinge. This eliminates the need for manual latching operations, enabling one-hand operation while maintaining compartment closure security through the friction torque provided by the integrated hinge mechanism.
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 system ensures compact design, simplified assembly, and meets safety standards by maintaining compartment closure under impact, while allowing one-hand operation and efficient packaging.
Implementation Method 1
when gravitational force acts upon the inertial lock friction hinge and configured to be in the locked condition when an external impact force acts upon the inertial lock friction hinge
Implementation Method 2
the shaft assembly and the friction assembly are rotatably coupled for relative frictional rotation
Implementation Method 3
configured to be in the locked condition when an external impact force acts upon the inertial lock friction hinge
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect is an inertial lock friction hinge, including a shaft assembly having a shaft assembly recess and a friction assembly having a friction assembly recess. The shaft assembly and the friction assembly are rotatably coupled for relative frictional rotation. The hinge includes a restraining component positioned within the hinge such that when the hinge is in an unlocked condition the restraining component is not engaged with both the friction assembly recess and the shaft assembly recess so that the shaft assembly and the friction assembly are allowed to rotate relative to each. The restraining component is positioned such that when the inertial lock friction hinge is in a locked condition the restraining component is at least partially engaged with both the friction assembly recess and the shaft assembly recess so that the shaft assembly and the friction assembly are locked and prevented from relative rotation by the restraining component.